By David Shaw
sports@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — It was supposed to be what firefighters call a milk run — a quick round trip to squelch a minor nuisance.

Turned out it anything but for the Salisbury girls basketball team Monday night. Its Central Carolina Conference Tournament opener against No. 7 Lexington became a three-alarm blaze, costing the Hornets their competitive edge, their best player and ultimately, their chance to advance.

“This was a tough loss,” coach Lakai Brice said, after the second-seeded Hornets were ousted, 56-46. “Mentally, we have to do a better job being ready.”

Salisbury (19-5) also lost Brianna Troutman — the six-foot junior who has steered its ship all season — midway through the third quarter with a  sprained right knee. And Salisbury without her is like Earth and Wind without Fire. Her status for next week’s 2A state playoffs is uncertain.

“She actually hurt it last Friday (in a regular-season loss at South Rowan), but didn’t tell anybody,” Brice said. “At halftime, she came to me and said her knee was swelling up a little bit, but she was going to try to play.”

Four minutes into the second half, Troutman (15 points, 8 blocks) was sprawled across the first row of the bleachers with her right knee elevated. She needed crutches to navigate her way to the locker room after the final horn.

“Bri is a great, great player,” winning coach Toccara Tatum said, after Lexington (10-13) snapped a three-game losing streak. “I feel bad for her and her team. Her inside presence was really missed. We took advantage by attacking the basket and that changed the game.”

It did. What had been a breezy, 22-11 Salisbury lead, early in the second quarter was suddenly a Lexington joyride in the third. The guests opened a 39-30 lead when Almijah McIntosh drove the right side for a layup and teammate Danasia Bray hit a free throw with 1:05 on the clock.

Salisbury, with sure-handed guard Anayia Fulson at the wheel, scored 11 straight points and regained the lead, 41-39, when the sophomore converted two free throws with 6:57 to play. She finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Senior Maria Capito added three 3-pointers for nine points.

“We needed Anayia to step up and she stepped up,” said Brice. “She kind of took over, but some things didn’t go our way. We missed some free throws. We took some bad shots. Maria’s 3-pointer went in and out when it was still a close game.”

Lexington rode the quick-stepped dribble-drives of junior guard Mikenzie Harvin across the finish line. She netted 20 of her game-high 30 points in the second half and put the Yellow Jackets ahead, 50-45 with a last-minute penetrating layup. “Mikenzie’s our best player,” said Tatum. “Once she gets going, everyone else gets going.”

Salisbury shot only 14-for-41 from the field. “It’s hard to beat anybody with just 14 baskets,” Brice said. “Hopefully, we’ll be better next time out.”

LEXINGTON (56) — Harvin 30, Peoples 10, Owens 6, Bray 5, Am. McIntosh 3, Al. McIntosh 2, Rose, Rosenboro.

SALISBURY (46) — Troutman 15, Fulson 13, Capito 9, Glenn 4, Robinson 2, May 2, McEntyre 1, Oats, Wilson, Daniels.

Lexington     11    16    12    17 — 56

Salisbury      17    10     8    11 — 46