>Site: 
Rocky Mount, N.C. | Everett Gymnasium

>Score: 
N.C. Wesleyan 66, Salem 44

>Records: 
Salem (0-18, 0-12 USA South) / N.C. Wesleyan (13-7, 10-3 USA South)

>Next Game:
Brevard vs. Salem | February 12 | Winston-Salem, N.C. | Varsity Gym 
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night | 6 p.m. 

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Joy Ezeh scored a game-high 14 points and was one of four players in the N.C. Wesleyan lineup with double figures, lead the Battling Bishops to a 66-44 victory over Salem in USA South Conference action on Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mount, N.C. 

The duo of Amy Pedroza and Cree Bass tallied 12 points apiece for a Salem unit that closed 16-of-56 (28.6%) from the floor and was 9-of-14 (64.3%) at the free throw line. Bass led all shooters with five field goals, connecting on two from beyond the arc, while grabbing six rebounds. 

Nicole Hester missed out on a double-double opportunity with nine points and nine rebounds, which she amassed over 33 minutes. Bass led the way for a Spirits squad that tallied 32 rebounds. 

FIRST QUARTER: The Battling Bishops held a 17-8 advantage at the close of the frame after hitting 6-of-14 (42.9%) from the field and connecting on four free throws. Hester put Salem on the board with a jumper at the 7:34 mark, but the Bishops established a 13-2 lead before a layup by Maleah Flagler put it at single digits. The combination of Cristina Battistini and Flagler added jumpers down the stretch to make for the eight points. 

SECOND QUARTER: N.C. Wesleyan enjoyed their best point production in a quarter in the second, closing with 18, hitting 9-of-19 (47.4%) from the field. Salem countered with 16 points of its own, also the most in a quarter, which came by virtue of five field goals, two 3-pointers and four free throws. The lead ballooned to 21-8 before a 3-pointer from Pedroza put Salem into double figures. Facing an 11-point deficit, 25-14, Salem capitalized on scores from Battistini and Ware to slice the deficit to 29-20 at the 3:19 mark. Pedroza drove home two free throws late to move within single digits, 33-24, before a layup resulted in the 35-24 halftime score. 

THIRD QUARTER: The Battling Bishops extended their lead with a 15-point third quarter after coming through with six field goals. Opening the quarter on a 6-0 run, capped off by a Leila Copeland layup, N.C. Wesleyan established a 41-25 lead. Bass answered with a 3-pointer, but it was the Bishops that managed to assume an 18-point edge, 50-32, with 1:31 left. Pedroza scored four points inside the final 1:06 of the quarter for Salem's final points. 

FOURTH QUARTER: Salem's offense struggled to remain in rhythm, while the Battling Bishops scored 15, to close out the 22-point decision. The margin reached 20, 56-36, with a layup from Harmony Martin. Bass scored six straight points for Salem, before a free throw from Hester, resulted in the 44th and final point.