>Site: 
Winston-Salem, N.C. | Varsity Gym

>Score: 
Johnson & Wales 83, Salem 57

>Records: 
Salem (0-6) / Johnson & Wales (6-3) 

>Next Game:
Salem at Methodist | Fayetteville, N.C. | Dec. 17

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A pair of double-digit scoring performances from Jordan Durant (16) and De'Ashaj Crawford (12) coupled with an eight-rebound outing by Gabby Tapley pushed Johnson & Wales to an 83-57 win over Salem when the two teams met on Wednesday evening at Varsity Gym. 

Salem, which finished 19-of-37 (37.3%) from the floor and 16-of-20 (80%) at the charity stripe, was led by the tandem of Amy Pedroza and Nykerah Engle, who tallied 18 and 12 points, respectively. Pedroza knocked down 6-of-14 from the floor and was successful on all four free throw attempts, while Engle countered with a 4-of-7 outing from the field and drained 4-of-5 from the free throw line. 

Nicole Hester came through with seven rebounds, including six on the defensive end. Teammate Jade Ware closed with nine points, while Anayah Noell and Cree Bass added five apiece. 

FIRST QUARTER: The Wildcats struck early, bolting out to a 24-11 lead at the end of the first period after hitting 10-of-23 from the floor, knocking down two 3-pointers along the way. Pedroza provided Salem with the 4-3 lead inside the first two minutes, but the Wildcats retaliated with a 10-1 run, capped off by Durant's jumper at the 3:38 mark. Ware scored three points and Engle added a bucket of her own, but Johnson & Wales stretched the margin on a layup from Durant. 

SECOND QUARTER: Salem found its offense in the second quarter, closing the frame with 17 points after knocking down 7-of-15 from the field and all three free throw attempts. Hester provided the first points of the second half for the Spirits, but it was a 14-6 run over the first 4:32 of the half that allowed Johnson & Wales to move in front 38-17. Pedroza and Bass contributed layups to keep the Spirits within 20 points, 42-22, before Engle tallied the final four points of the half to make for a 42-28 contest. 

THIRD QUARTER: The Spirits enjoyed their best offensive production of the game in the third, outscoring Johnson & Wales 20-18 in the frame. A 7-1 run to open the second half, capped off by a free throw from Tapley, allowed the Wildcats to distance themselves from Salem by 20. Pedroza answered with a trey and Cristina Battistini came through with a jumper to cut the deficit to 51-34. Trailing by a 58-43 margin, following a jumper from Pedroza, Salem converted five-of-six free throws down the stretch to whittle the margin to 60-48. 

FOURTH QUARTER: Looking to distance themselves from Salem in the final frame, the Wildcats amped up the defensive attack and sparked the offense, which closed out the game on a 23-9 run. Johnson & Wales surrendered just three points in the first 5:32 of the fourth and crafted a 13-3 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from Jordan Durant, establishing a 73-51 lead. Noell drove home a 3-pointer with 2:04 remaining and Pedroza answered with one of her own inside the final minute to account for the final six Salem points.