ROANOKE, Va. – Salem's Alize Brooks netted a game-high 16 points, while teammate Sydney Bowen added 10, but the trio of Lenah Clements (13 points), Kayla Surles (11) and Keenan Surles (10) that proved to be too much as Hollins prevailed with a 63-40 win on Tuesday, December 10.
While the tandem of Brooks and Bowen reached double figures for Salem (0-7), the Spirits knocked down just 11-of-63 (17.5%) from the floor and 5-of-16 (31.3%) from beyond the arc. Brooks led the way by hitting 4-of-22 from the floor and 2-of-6 from 3-point range She emerged with six points at the free throw line and was also active on defense with nine rebounds.
Bowen, who was 3-of-13 from the field, and converted 2-of-7 from 3-point range along with 2-of-4 from the free throw line. Lauren Privette climbed the glass for a team-high 11 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
Hollins established its offense early, using a jumper by Lenah Clements to sang a 12-3 lead at the 4:21 mark of the first quarter. The Green and Gold bumped its lead to 11 points, however Cayla Harris finished 2-for-2 at the free throw line, making for a 15-6 margin at the end of the opening frame.
Salem, looking to rebound from a first quarter that resulted in 4.3 percent shooting from the floor, scored the first three points of the second and trimmed the lead to six, 15-9, in the process. After a 9-0 run by Hollins extended the margin to 15, Aubrey Slaughter got Salem into double figures with a layup. Hollins closed out the half on a 8-1 run and took a 32-12 lead into the intermission.
The Spirits together their first double-digit scoring performance of the game in the third quarter, scoring the first of 12 points when Bowen made a layup less than a minute into action. Despite points by Slaughter and Caroline Deal, Hollins stretched the lead to 40-17. Brooks converted a jumper and Bowen drained a 3-pointer at the 1:58 mark as Salem trailed 49-24 through three quarters.
Salem closed out the final quarter on a positive note, outscoring the Green and Gold 16-14 after knocking down 30.8 percent of its field goal attempts. Dionne Sampson began the frame with a pair of free throws and Bowen added four straight points before a 3-pointer by Brooks made for a 55-33 Hollins lead. Bowen drove home a timely 3-pointer with just over three minutes left. Brooks countered with a trey with 15 seconds remaining in the contest, making for the 63-40 final.
Salem returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Methodist. The USA South Conference battle will be the final game before Christmas break for the Spirits. For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.