Salem Basketball hosted conference opponent NC Wesleyan, playing a competitive matchup but ultimately falling 66-50.

The contest started out slow, with the first points not coming until two minutes into the contest. The Bishops opened the scoring, but the offense didn't fully get rolling for another minute. Amy Pedroza sank a free throw, followed soon after by a layup from Nicole Hester. NCW then went on a seven point run, but their streak was broken by a smooth take to the hoop from Triana Smallwood. The remainder of the quarter was controlled by the Bishops, scoring 10 to the Spirit's 6, but was finished on a high note. Strong drives to the basket from both Catherine Jordan Cano and Hester kept Salem within fighting distance going into the second quarter. 

Not letting an eight-point deficit deter them, the Spirits got off to a hot start in quarter two. Buckets from Cristina Battistini, Jordan Cano, and Pedroza - along with her two free throws - spurred Salem onto an eight-point run. The layup from Jordan Cano electrified the gym, tying up the contest. Despite a strong early showing and two more layups from Pedroza, the Bishops brought it back to a three-possession game. Lauren Ringwood closed out the quarter strong, knocking down a layup and a free throw, but it was not enough to close the gap.

NCW got off to a solid start of their own, scoring 12 to the Spirits three in the first five minutes. Pedroza added two more points in the paint to her soon-to-be leading scorer total, alongside a free throw from Jordan Cano. The final five minutes were controlled by Salem, outscoring the Bishops eight to three. The Spirits finished out the quarter with four made free throws from multiple athletes and four points in the paint from Ringwood. 

A tip-in layup from Hester and a three from Pedroza brought Salem back to a single digit deficit early in quarter four. Despite their solid start, the Spirits were only able to score free throws for the remainder of the contest. A few bright spots in the quarter were their three steals and Battistini's four made free throws alongside two offensive rebounds.

Amy Pedroza led in multiple stat categories tonight with 18 points, three steals, three assists, and seven made free throws. Nicole Hester also racked up four blocks and 10 rebounds. 

The Spirits will next be in action on Tuesday January 20th, where they travel to take on Mary Baldwin at 6pm.