Salem Basketball traveled to take on Greensboro College in their final game of the 2025-26 season, falling in a close 69-60.

Nicole Hester opened up the contest's scoring, sinking an early jumper in the paint. The Pride had an answer soon after, scoring seven straight. The Spirits came surging back, going on a six-point run of their own to regain the lead thanks to Cristina Battistini, Hester, and Catherine Jordan Cano. These six points were just a fraction of their whopping 36 points in the paint. A layup from Tyla Whitehead kept Salem within three heading into the final two minutes, followed by an and-one from Lauren Ringwood. After capitalizing on the three-point play, quarter one ended at 15-13 in favor of Greensboro. 

The Spirits tied it up early in the second quarter, securing a layup from a Ringwood-Hester connection. The Pride started to hit their stride offensively, going on a 10-point run only broken by two free throws from Amy Pedroza. Two buckets from Ringwood and a free throw apiece from Hester and Pedroza brought it back to a two-score game, but Greensboro had an answer. The Pride held Salem to zero points in the last three minutes of the quarter, building up a 12-point lead to close out the first half. 

The Spirits traded points with Greensboro early in quarter three, but were unable to make much headway into their strong lead until the last three minutes. Pedroza, Battistini, Hester and Whitehead all scored in the first five minutes, but the Pride always had an answer. Salem found some momentum that was kickstarted by a smooth jumper from Anayah Noell. The Spirits out-scored Greensboro 8-2 in the final minutes thanks to Battistini, Whitehead, and Waring. Their strong effort was rewarded, slashing the Pride's lead in half and going into the final frame down by just six. 

A quick jumper from Keniya Waring brought the score within four, but was answered 10 seconds later by a three from Greensboro. The two squads continued to trade blows, with the Pride holding strong to their lead and playing strong defense, especially near the end of the quarter. The Spirits broke through in the final minute, with a jumper from Whitehead, a layup from Ringwood, and a three from Battistini bringing it back to a two score game. Despite a strong effort from the Spirits, the Pride took home the win 69-60. 

Hester led in multiple stat categories tonight with 13 points, two steals, two blocks, and 18 rebounds, securing yet another double-double. Ringwood also secured 13 points, while Whitehead and Pedroza snagged two steals themselves. 

The Spirits look to build on this season's success in their 2026-27 campaign.