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

>Score: 
N.C. Wesleyan 72, Salem 45

>Records: 
Salem (1-21, 1-15 USA South) / N.C. Wesleyan (15-8, 12-4 USA South)

>Next Game:
Final game of 2024-25 Season

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Salem basketball team closed out the weekend and 2024-25 season with a split after falling by a score of 72-45 to N.C. Wesleyan at Varsity Gym in USA South Conference play on Sunday afternoon. 

The game marked the final in the career of Cree Bass, who closes the book on her Salem career with 728 points and 351 rebounds. Bass finished with her second career double-double, coming through with 13 points and 12 rebounds against the Battling Bishops, capping off a solid weekend where she hit the first game-winning shot of her collegiate career against Greensboro on Saturday afternoon. Bass, who finished with the most single-season points in her career (184), amassed the second-most career 3-pointers (120) in Salem history. 

Bass led Salem in both scoring and rebounds in her final contest. She was joined in double-digit scoring by Jade Ware (11) and Cristina Battistini (10). 

FIRST QUARTER: N.C. Wesleyan bolted out to a 6-0 start before a layup from Jade Ware at the 6:36 mark put Salem on the board. Ware added a free throw for the Spirits, which made for an 8-3 contest, but a trey from Shamaya Lynch but N.C. Wesleyan into double figures. Maleah Flagler found an open Cristina Battistini for a jumper, resulting in a six-point contest, but the Battling Bishops scored six unanswered to forge in front 17-5. Bass closed out first quarter scoring for the Spirits by hitting the front end of two free throws. 

SECOND QUARTER: Leila Copeland opened up second quarter scoring with a 3-pointer from the right corner, stretching the Bishops' lead to 14. N.C. Wesleyan's Corynthian Williams and teammate Anaya Hall knocked down 3-pointers for the Bishops, stretching the lead to 25-8. Bass and Lily Gorum converted layups for the Spirits, putting Salem into double figures as the Bishops stretched the margin to 34-15. Ware and Bass accounted for the final three points of the half for the Spirits, who trailed 44-18 at the intermission. Meanwhile, N.C. Wesleyan ended the quarter by hitting 11-of-21 (52.4%) from the floor, knocking down four 3-pointers along the way. 

THIRD QUARTER: The two teams scored 15 points apiece in the third quarter, as the Battling Bishops maintained their double-digit lead (59-33) heading into the fourth. Ware and Hester scored four points apiece in the frame for Salem, while Bass added three of her own. Salem hit 6-of-17 (35.3%) from the field, while the Bishops were 7-of-16 (43.8%) from the floor. 

FOURTH QUARTER: The Bishops clinched their 15th win of the season and headed into their battle against Meredith by outscoring Salem 13-12 in the frame. The Bishops closed the game by hitting 5-of-19 from the floor, while limiting Salem to just two field goals. However, Salem did knock down 8-of-13 (61.5%) from the free throw line, while N.C. Wesleyan was just successful on three attempts.