>Site: 
Lynchburg, Va.

>Score: 
Randolph 80, Salem 51

>Records: 
Salem (0-2) / Randolph (2-0)

>Next Game:
Salem at Averett | Nov. 20 | 7 p.m. 
 
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Cree Bass recorded her second double-digit scoring performance of the season, 16 points, while adding nine rebounds and forcing four steals in a solid all-around performance for a Salem basketball squad that suffered an 80-51 setback in non-conference action at Randolph on Wednesday evening in Lynchburg, Va. 

Bass was joined in double figures by Nykerah Engle, who closed with 11 points, after hitting 4-of-4 from the floor and 3-of-5 at the free throw line. Bass was 7-of-13 (53.8%) from the field, knocking down two 3-pointers along the way. She also climbed the glass for nine rebounds, including eight defensive boards. 

Anayah Noell was responsible for nine points of her own, hitting three field goals and a trio of free throw attempts along the way. Meanwhile, Bass and Cristina Battistini provided Salem with a defensive presence by virtue of seven combined steals. Nicole Hester hauled in six rebounds to go along with four points in 28 minutes of action.  

FIRST QUARTER: Bass converted the first points of the game for Salem, knocking down a 3-pointer, as she sliced the WildCats' lead to 4-3. Meanwhile, Engle and Noell converted three of four free throws, evening the game at seven-all. Randolph scored six unanswered points, but Bass knocked down a jumper at the 2:30 mark, trimming the deficit to four. A 7-0 run, capped off by a jumper from Taniya Jackson, provided the WildCats with the 10-point lead after one quarter of play. 

SECOND QUARTER: Randolph capitalized on a 7-of-17 (41.2%) shooting performance in the second quarter and outscored Salem 18-9, assuming a 38-19 lead at the intermission. Kylie Stark knocked down a long distance 3-pointer just 2:40 into the second half, extending the Randolph run to 14-1, as the lead grew to 27-10. Engle followed with a series of free throws under a minute later to provide the first two Salem points of the frame. Despite an Engle jumper at just over the midway point, Salem faced a 38-14 deficit with 3:11 remaining. Cristina Battistini converted a jumper of her own and Bass followed with a 3-pointer with 1:05 left to make for the final points of the quarter. 

THIRD QUARTER: Salem enjoyed the first of two 16-point quarters in the third, finishing 7-of-14 from the floor, while Randolph answered with eight field goals and a 53.3% outing. Stark scored four points for the WildCats, while Noell countered with four of her own, resulting in a 42-23 difference. Randolph's offense remained in rhythm, scoring eight unanswered, stretching the margin to 50-23. Salem capped off the third with a flurry of points from Bass, Engle and Jade Ware, who drained two free throws, resulting in a 61-35 score. 

FOURTH QUARTER: The Spirits ended the game strong with a shooting performance, converting 7-of-13 (53.8%) from the floor along the way to 16 points. Amy Pedroza knocked down a 3-pointer 1:36 into the fourth to provide the first Salem points of the frame, before a jumper from Bass. However, the Wildcats' defense turned up the pressure while the offense tallied five points, extending the lead to 68-40. Hester emerged with six points down the stretch, while Bass and Noell accounted for two each, to make for the 80-51 final.