>Site: 
Raleigh, N.C. | Hermann Athletic Center

>Score: 
William Peace 64, Salem 53

>Records: 
Salem (0-10, 0-4 USA South) / William Peace (2-9, 1-3 USA South)

>Next Game:
Salem at Greensboro | January 11 | Hanes Gym | 4:30 p.m. 

RALEIGH, N.C. — Salem first year Nicole Hester capped off her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 17 rebounds, which included 12 defensive rebounds, but it was a 20-point fourth quarter by William Peace that proved to be the difference as the Pacers earned a 64-53 win in Raleigh on Tuesday evening in USA South Conference action. 

Hester, who has now notched four consecutive double-doubles, converted 8-of-16 from the field and 3-of-7 at the free throw line. She snapped down 12 of her 17 rebounds on the defensive glass. Joining Hester in double figure points for the Spirits were Amy Pedroza (13) and Anayah Noell (10). 

Pedroza finished off her double-digit performance by knocking down 5-of-13 from the floor, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out two assists. Noell's double-digit outing came as she converted 5-of-15 from the floor and snagged six rebounds. Both Maleah Flagler and Jade Ware had seven rebounds apiece. 

FIRST QUARTER: William Peace capitalized on a 9-of-19 (47.8%) shooting performance from the field, which included three 3-pointers, to outscore the Spirits 22-5 in the first frame. Hester evened the game at two-all early, but William Peace scored six unanswered to assume the 8-2 advantage. Pedroza drove through the lane for a layup and Hester added a free throw, slicing the margin to three, but the Pacers scored 14 points to lead by 17 at the close of the quarter. The final points of the run came on a 3-pointer by Ja'Naisja Baker. 

SECOND QUARTER: The two units had an evenly matched second quarter, with William Peace outscoring Salem by a slim 15-14 margin. Salem scored eight points from the floor and added another six from the free throw line in the frame. A pair of 3-pointers from Allye Woodruff were followed by a jumper from Jada Kent as the Spirits faced a 30-5 deficit less than two minutes into the quarter. Pedroza halted the scoreless streak with a series of free throws and added a jumper, putting Salem into double figures, 30-11. Hester scored the final four points of the second quarter, resulting in a 37-19 William Peace lead at the intermission. 

THIRD QUARTER: The best quarter for the Spirits came in the third, where they hit 11-of-15 (73.3%) from the floor. While Salem was efficient in the frame, the Pacers were limited to seven points and 3-of-17 (17.7%) from the field. Noell and Hester combined for eight points in the first 4:30 of the third, slicing the William Peace margin to 11 points. Flagler added a layup and Ware knocked down a jumper to pull Salem within single digits, 42-33. Hester and the Ware kept the Salem offense clicking with a series of layups, which resulted in a five-point difference, 42-37. Pedroza came through with a layup and Flagler tipped in the final two points of the quarter as William Peace's lead was slashed to 44-41 in the process. 

FOURTH QUARTER: Separated by just three points heading into the final quarter, William Peace answered the challenge with field 3-pointers, seven field goals total. After watching its lead dwindle to one, 44-43, William Peace answered with a 15-2 run that resulted in a 13-point difference. The run included a trio of 3-pointers from Woodruff. The Pacers would maintain the double-digit lead over the remainder of the game as they picked up their first USA South Conference victory of the season.