William Peace WPU 7-14, 5-10 USASo

Salem (NC) Salem 8-14, 4-11 USASo

William Peace WPU

7-14, 5-10 USASo

Final

Feb. 10, 2024

Salem (NC) Salem

8-14, 4-11 USASo

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
William Peace WPU	27	20	13	27	87
Salem (NC) Salem	13	18	18	35	84

Summary
Box Score

Jerrell Jordan

Tanaesha Ellison Finished With 38 Points, 12 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 4 Steals and 1 Block

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 2/10/2024 8:19:00 PM | WPU Athletic Communications

Pacers Stop Late Salem Rally For Second Straight Win

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Tanaesha Ellison had 38 points and 12 rebounds for another double-double as William Peace hit key free throws in the final minute to hold off Salem 87-84 in a USA South women's basketball game at Varsity Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Pacers (6-10 USA South, 8-14 overall) won two straight games for the second time this season. The win improved their chances of making the USA South Tournament, which starts Feb. 20. The Spirits fell to 4-12 in the conference and 8-15 overall.

"We played a great game," said Assistant Coach Sabrina Shepherd, a former basketball standout at Salem. "We started out well and everyone stepped up offensively. Great shooting day from Hannah [Lewis] for sure. It was nice being back "home" and coaching against my alma mater. Emotions were heightened but we kept our composure and finished it out down the stretch. We played great team ball today!"

William Peace is sixth in the conference with one week left in the regular season. The top eight teams in the 10-team league qualify for the conference tournament.

The Pacers, led by Ellison's double-double, led 75-58 midway in the fourth period before the Spirits mounted a final rally. A 17-7 Salem run chopped the Pacers' margin to 82-77 with under a minute left. Both Ellison and Smiley combined to make 5 of 6 free throws to halt the rally. A Salem three-pointer in the final seconds accounted for the final score.

Ellison, who reached the 1,000-point career mark on Tuesday, posted her 13^th double-double, including her third straight, in 20 games this season. It was her second consecutive double-double of more than 30 points and 10 rebounds.

Ellison added seven assists, four steals and one block in the victory. Smiley tallied 18 points and Hannah Lewis scored 16 points. Zia Prim and Allye Woodruff each chipped in six points.

Led by Ellison's 13 points, the Pacers opened a 27-13 first-period lead. The margin ballooned to 47-25 in the second period but a 6-0 Salem run cut the lead to 47-31 at the half.

The Spirits continued their charge in the third period. An 11-2 run whittled the Pacers' lead to 49-42 midway in the period but the Pacers regrouped to take an 11-point lead into the final period.

The Pacers outscored the Spirits 15-9 at the beginning of the fourth period to open a 17-point lead. It was enough to stop Salem's late run.

The Pacers finish the regular season with two conference road games next week, including a visit to Methodist on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

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