Salisbury boys 63, Central Davidson 47

Staff report

LEXINGTON — Salisbury's boys entered their CCC contest at Central Davidson on a five-game winning streak that had spanned 18 days.

A 63-47 victory against Central on Monday night served as a productive start to a potentially busy week.

It was the first of four games scheduled to take place within a stretch of six days, culminating with a trip to first-place Lexington on Saturday.

"We have been dealing with scheduling issues all year long," Salisbury coach Jason Causby said. "For us to get in a stretch where we are just playing games is going to do us more good than anything."

The second-place Hornets, who are slated to visit Thomasville tonight and play host to East Davidson on Friday, benefited from Darien Rankin's game-high 23 points against Central Davidson. John Knox added 12.

The Spartans (5-12, 1-6) led 15-14 after one quarter, and Salisbury (12-4, 6-1) started the second quarter with a 12-0 run.

Central trailed 28-24 at the break thanks to a 9-0 run late in the half but drew no closer. The Hornets scored 21 points in the third quarter and allowed only nine.

"I think we came out tonight with a lot of intensity, and we had fun," Central coach Brian Hege said. "That press for 32 minutes, make or miss, kind of wears on you a little bit. That is why they are a good basketball team.

"You cannot let your guard down against them when you get it down to four, six or eight. You have to continue to break that press and take good shots or it goes back up to 16 real quick."

Salisbury's lead ballooned quickly from four points to 16 on the strength of its press.

That run included a four-point play from Rankin, who was fouled as he drilled a 3-pointer near the halfway point of the period.

"We had some inconsistent play tonight," Causby said. "Offense was poor from start to finish, and the defense was bright in spots."

SALISBURY (63) — Rankin 23, Knox 12, Hailey 9, Jones 7, Phillips 7, Weant 3, Morris 2.

CENTRAL DAVIDSON (47) — Brown 11, Dilley 9, Mays 8, Small 7, Laws 6, Snider 4, Norman 2, Wright, Reynolds.

Salisbury 14 14 21 14 — 63

C. Davidson 15 9 9 14 — 47

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Owen Schwartz of The Dispatch contributed to this story.