MEISENHEIMER, N.C. – The Pfeiffer trio of Kortni Pinion (16 points), Brina Bentley (15) and A'Mya McClain (14) recorded double-digit scoring performances and led the Falcons to an 83-52 victory over Salem in USA South basketball action on Wednesday evening. Salem countered with 11 points from Sydney Bowen and 10 rebounds by Lauren Privette.

Pinion, who finished 8-of-11 from the floor, led the way for a Pfeiffer (6-8, 3-3 USA South) unit that was successful on 30-of-63 (47.6%) field goal attempts. Pinion was also active on the glass with six rebounds, tying for the team lead with Regan Allen. McClain, who was 6-of-9 from the field and 2-of-5 from 3-point range, was also an efficient shooter for the Falcons in the victory.

Bowen knocked down 5-of-15 field goals for a Salem lineup that finished 21-of-66 (31.8%) from the floor. Teammates Aubrey Slaughter and Shenell Pharr, who finished with eight points apiece, narrowly missed double-digit scoring. Privette led the way in rebounding by snagging six on the offensive glass.

Pfeiffer bolted out 10-0 lead in the opening frame, capped off by a pair of free throws by Allen, before Cayla Harris got the Spirits on the board at the 5:38 mark with a jumper in the paint. Slaughter and Alize Brooks hit consecutive buckets, making for a 15-6 contest, but Pfeiffer scored the final seven points of the frame to lead by 16 through the first quarter.

Salem took advantage of five points from Bowen and four each by Slaughter, Shenique Pharr and Shenell Pharr as the Spirits outscored Pfeiffer 17-16 in the second quarter. Bowen and Shenell Pharr came through with 3-pointers as the Spirits trailed 38-23 in at the intermission.

Four points by Bentley in the first 6:20 of the third allowed Pfeiffer to stretch its lead to 49-27 as Privette and Shenell Pharr answered with back-to-back buckets to trim the lead to 18. The Falcons allowed just two points over the final 2:57, to assume the 61-34 lead through three quarters.

Dionne Sampson emerged with six points in the fourth quarter as Salem enjoyed an 18-point frame. The Falcons would extend their lead to 31 in the first three minutes of the quarter, but a series of free throws by Shenell Pharr and Sampson made for a 73-46 contest. A flurry of buckets by Privette, brooks and Slaughter down the stretch briefly made for a 26-point Pfeiffer lead, before a trey by Debrisha Campbell made for the 83-52 win.

The Spirits return to the court on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Meredith. For more information on Salem basketball check out www.salemspirits.com.