Concord Begins Two-Game Road Stretch at Salem

Concord Stats – Salem Stats – Live Video – Live Stats – Complete Game Notes
 
ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team heads to T. Edward Davis Gymnasium to take on non-conference opponent Salem in the first of a two-game road set Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
The Salem University Sports Information Department will provide live video and statistics for Saturday's contest.
 
LIVE VIDEO
 
LIVE STATS
 
SERIES HISTORY
CU leads 16-8
 
LAST FIVE MEETINGS AGAINST SALEM
February 10, 2024: Concord 64 – Salem 53 (Athens, W.Va.)
November 29, 2023: Concord 75 – Salem 57 (Salem, W.Va.)
January 31, 2022: Concord 96 – Salem 71 (Athens, W.Va.)
December 18, 2019: Concord 73 – Salem 62 (Salem, W.Va.)
January 3, 2019: Concord 90 – Salem 73 (Athens, W.Va.)
 
CONCORD AT A GLANCE
2024-25 Record: 3-6
Home Record: 1-2
Away Record: 2-2
Neutral Record: 0-2
 
FINDING A GROOVE
After scoring just 13 points in her first two games in the Maroon and Gray, senior guard Sanaiya Morris has become a stable piece of CU's offense this winter. The McCalla, Alabama native has scored 15 points in each of her last three games played to bring her season average to 10.1 points per game. In Friday's game at Tampa, Morris scored 15 points by draining a season-high three three-pointers and scoring five points in the final minute of play. Saturday against Saint Leo, she found the net on a season-high seven field goal attempts while picking up five assists and three steals. Finally, Wednesday against Point Park, Morris connected on seven of her eight free throw attempts to notch 15 points in three consecutive outings.
 
LONG-RANGE SPARK
Sophomore guard Madison Young had the best scoring effort of her career Wednesday against Point Park, netting 14 points and knocking down a career-best four three-pointers. Young, a native of Stokesdale, N.C., got on the board quickly by sinking a pair of triples in the first quarter to give CU a one-point edge after 10 minutes. She would not strike again until the fourth quarter, making a three-pointer midway through the frame and converting her only two free throw attempts. Young buried another three-pointer with 29 seconds remaining to keep the Mountain Loons within two points, her first made basket with under three minutes left in regulation and overtime this season. Young leads Concord with 14 made three-pointers this year.
 
WHAT'S AT STAKE
In 24 meetings all-time between Concord and Salem, the Mountain Lions own a 16-8 advantage and have won the last nine matchups. Last season, CU swept the season series by picking up a come-from-behind victory at Salem, 75-67, and commanding an 11-point win inside the Carter Center, 64-53. Junior forward Abbie Smith recorded an 18-point, 17-rebound double-double to help complete the 75-67 comeback win on the road. Senior guard Skylar Davidson pitched in 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the home win over the Tigers as she was one of four Mountain Lions in double figures.
 
PLENTY OF PRODUCTION
In the last five meetings against Salem, CU has posted at least four players with double-digit points. Smith led the charge of five double-figure scorers on the road against Salem, while Davidson and current CU Assistant Coach Jazz Blankenship paced the home attack with 10 points each. Also, current Concord Assistant Coach Madison (May) Heller contributed to the streak, scoring 25 points as part of a four double figure scoring effort in January of 2019.
 
TOP OF THE KEY
Saturday's game will feature two productive point guards in CU's Davidson and SU junior guard Carine Pinkney. Pinkney leads the Tigers in points per game (16.5), field goal percentage (40.3 percent), three-point percentage (42.9 percent), and assists per game (1.9). She has scored in double figures in every game this season and scored a career-high 27 points against West Liberty November 26. Davidson leads the MEC in steals per game (3.9) and ranks third in assists per game (4.4) while chipping in 9.3 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per outing. She has notched at least four assists in all but one game this winter and poked away a new career-high seven steals against Charleston November 23.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
6 – Double-doubles for Smith this season, tied for the most in Division II
29 – Total offensive rebounds fueling 31 total second-chance points against Salem last season
57.4 – Smith's field goal percentage this season to lead the MEC
 
SALEM AT A GLANCE
2024-25 Record: 0-8
Home Record: 0-3
Away Record: 0-4
Neutral Record: 0-1
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Pinkney (16.8 points per game) leads the way offensively, followed by senior forward Liliani Krause posting 11.7 points per game. Freshman forward Carmen Vasquez controls the boards for the Tigers, pulling down 6.8 rebounds per game. Senior guard Cassandra Smith scores 8.8 points per game and leads Salem in steals per game (1.5) and blocks per game (0.6).