Salisbury girls take CCC victory over Thomasville

Published 11:42 pm Wednesday, January 27, 2016

By David Shaw

sports@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY —Salisbury’s girls re-opened for business Wednesday night with a successful, if not curious, performance against visiting Thomasville.

The Hornets suffered 27 turnovers and often looked like they had a bus to catch. But they built a formidable halftime lead, were never seriously challenged, and rolled to a 59-51 CCC victory.

“I thought we played really well — at times,” coach Lakai Brice said after Salisbury (11-7, 3-2) hit the court for the first time in six days. “We executed our offense and our defense really well. I just think we got a little tired at the end.”

It didn’t matter to junior guard Tyzarea Alexander, who scored 21 points as the Hornets won for the third time in four games. “We’re getting our mojo back,” she said with a post-game smile. “We’re getting back to where we were at the beginning of the year.”

Salisbury opened the season 6-1, but was unable to sustain that pace. Against Thomasville (4-11, 2-3) it dug itself out of second-quarter hole, nourished its lead in the third and held off the Bulldogs in the final period.

“It was a physical game,” said losing coach Tyronnica Alford. “Much more physical than my girls are used to playing.”

Her girls — paced by sophomore guard Dee Long’s career-best 40 points — carved out a 22-14 lead after Jaslyn Nelson converted the second of two free throws midway through the second quarter.

“Then we realized what they were doing and adjusted to them,” said Salisbury freshman Bryanna Troutman (19 points, 9 rebounds). “We made ourselves better.”

The Hornets closed the first half with 17 unanswered points — nine on three Troutman 3-pointers and eight by Alexander. It turned a potential halftime scolding into a determined pep talk.

“It was a huge turnaround,” Brice said. “I think Bry actually got a couple of steals, grabbed some rebounds and shot those 3’s with confidence. It was a solid game for her.”

Added Alexander: “We felt good about that. It made us want to come out and work even harder.”

Salisbury kept its hard hats attached in the third quarter and watched its lead balloon to 48-31, when Maria Capito scored on a last-minute runaway layup. In the fourth, Thomasville drew as close as 54-48 when Long penetrated for a layup. She fouled out with 1:43 to play, having scored 40 of Thomasville’s first 48 points.

“She’s a brilliant player,” Alford said. “But her confidence hasn’t been there all year. Once she realizes what she can do for this team, we’ll all be better.”

Brice said she will review film of the game and make necessary adjustments when the teams meet again next month. She was more pleased with freshman forward Tacorra Robinson’s 19-rebound effort.

“Every game, I give her a number,” Brice said. “Today, I said she had to get 10 rebounds and she surpassed that. The more she rebounds, the more she’ll score. It all goes together for her.”

THOMASVILLE (51) — Long 40, Wilson 4, Nelson 3, Gates 3, Williams 1.

SALISBURY (51) — Alexander 21, Troutman 19, Capito 12, M.Glenn 4, T. Robinson 3, Phifer, H. Robinson, Daniels, J.Glenn.

Thomasville    8   14   9   20  — 51

Salisbury        11   20   17   11  — 59