>Site: 
Lenoir, N.C. 

>Score: 
Montreat 86, Salem 50

>Records: 
Salem (0-1) / Montreat (1-1)

>Next Game:
Salem at Randolph | Nov. 13 | 7 p.m. 
 
LENOIR, N.C. — Cree Bass scored 11 points and teammate Lily Gorum added 10 points and five rebounds in Salem's season-opener against Montreat, who prevailed by an 86-50 margin when the two teams met at Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday afternoon. The game marked the first in the head coaching career of Salem's Danielle Dawson. 

Bass lead all Salem scorers by hitting 4-of-11 from the field, including one 3-pointer. The fifth-year senior guard also dished out seven assists, forced four steals and added four rebounds in an all-around performance. Gorum, who was 3-for-6 from the field and 4-of-6 at the charity stripe, hauled in five rebounds and made one block. 

Nykerah Engle added eight points in 21 minutes, finishing 4-of-8 from the floor, while the trio of Anayah Noell and Cristina Battistini climbed the glass for five rebounds apiece. While the Spirits struggled to find their shooting touch from the floor, finishing 18-of-49 (36.7%), they were solid from the free throw line with an 11-for-17 outing (64.7%). 

Montreat had five players reach double figures, including Rymiah Sanders, who tallied a game-high 18 points. Teammates Virginia Edmondson (16), Ania Sands (13) and Maddie Ferrara (11) also reached double figures. Sanders was efficient for the Cavaliers, finishing 7-of-10 from the floor and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. 

Each of the five Montreat starters finished above the 50 percent mark from the floor, helping the Cavaliers close 36-of-69 (52.2%) as a unit. 

FIRST QUARTER
Noell converted the first Salem point of the season from the free throw line at the 7:44 mark and Triana Smallwood added the first bucket just over three minutes later. However, it was a stifling press defense by the Cavaliers that resulted in a 17-4 advantage. Despite conversions by Gorum and Noell, Montreat managed to stretch its lead to 34-8 to close out the first quarter. 

SECOND QUARTER
Salem opened the second quarter with a string of scores by Gorum and Engle, putting the Spirits into double digits. However, Montreat continued to extend its lead with a 3-pointer from Sands and a layup by Chesnee Freeman that resulted in a 41-12 lead. Four points from Bass, along with free throws by Chais White and Gorum allowed Salem to make for a 48-21 margin at the intermission. 

THIRD QUARTER
The Spirits equaled their second quarter scoring output in the third, scoring 13 points, which included a pair of free throws by Gorum to second half scoring. Bass added a jumper and Smallwood knocked down a 3-pointer, making for a 61-28 score, before Engle converted a fastbreak layup for Salem. Maleah Flagler closed out the half with a layup of her own, resulting in a 68-34 score after three quarters. 

FOURTH QUARTER
The Salem offense enjoyed its best production of the contest in the fourth, scoring 16 points. Engle and White started off the fourth quarter with a series of buckets before Battistini stepped outside the arc to drain a 3-pointer as Montreat lead 76-41. White added a jumper and Bass knocked down a trey, which moved her to nine points on the day. After a layup by Engle, Bass moved into double figures with a jumper with 26 seconds remaining to lead the Spirits in scoring.