>Site: 
Winston-Salem, N.C.

>Score: 
Pfeiffer 66, Salem 41

>Records: 
Salem (0-5, 0-1 USA South) / Pfeiffer (3-3, 2-0 USA South)

>Next Game:
Salem vs. Johnson & Wales (NC) | December 4 | Varsity Gym | 5 p.m. 
 
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — First year Nicole Hester notched her first collegiate double-double (12 points / 12 rebounds) for Salem, however it was the duo of Lola Cabaniss-Ali and Kenadie Hunter, who combined for 31 points and 11 rebounds, that pushed Pfeiffer to a 66-41 win that served as both the home opener and USA South Conference opener for the Spirits on Tuesday evening. 

Hester finished 6-of-12 from the field and grabbed seven of her 12 rebounds on the defensive glass for Salem, resulting in a double-double. She also came through with four blocks and two assists in an all-around performance. 

Joining Hester among the offensive leaders were Amy Pedroza and Cree Bass, who finished with eight points apiece, along with Anayah Noell, who provided seven points in reserve. Cristina Battistini also had a solid game on the glass for Salem with seven rebounds. 

Cabaniss-Ali and Hunter, who scored 16 and 15 points, respectively, were joined in scoring by Ava Hairston and Peyton McPeters, who notched eight points. The Falcons finished with 23 made field goals, including six from 3-point range, and were 14-of-19 (73.7%) at the charity stripe. 

FIRST QUARTER: The two units struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the opening frame, but Pfeiffer grabbed a 10-6 lead at the close of the quarter. Pedroza put Salem on the board with a 3-pointer, make for a 7-4 contest, before following with a second long range 3-pointer that trimmed the margin to one with 5:29 remaining. However, it was a 3-pointer from Hudler that stretched the Falcons' lead to four at just over the half way point. 

SECOND QUARTER: Hester opened second half scoring with a layup, following a missed shot, as the Spirits trailed by two early. McPeters and Hudler knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, stretching the score to 16-8, before the Falcons assumed a 13-point lead on a long range shot from Hudler at the 7:56 mark. After Noell put Salem into double figures, Alexis Bynum and Mara Ochoa-Contreras converted layups to make for a 25-11 margin. Battistini and Hester came through with layups, while Bass knocked down a 3-pointer for her own, resulting in a 34-18 lead at the intermission. 

THIRD QUARTER: Pedroza came through with the first points of the second half, but it was Cabaniss-Ali that followed through with a three-point play as the lead stood at 17. Both Maleah Flagler and Hester closed out third quarter scoring with buckets for the Spirits, who trailed 47-30. 

FOURTH QUARTER: Hester book-ended the end of the third quarter scoring by opening the fourth with a bucket and Noell added a jumper of her own to slice the margin to 47-34. Nykerah Engle snapped a 9-0 run with a jumper at the 6:30 mark as Salem trailed 56-36. Layups by Hester and Bass cut the score to 58-41 for Salem, but Pfeiffer closed the game on an 8-0 run to secure its second win in USA South Conference play and moved to 3-3 on the season in the process.