ELKINS, W.Va. – Salem International netted 56 points in the second half to knock off Davis & Elkins, 86-76 on Saturday evening.

Juwan Strothers scored 18 points--making 12-of-14 attempts at the charity stripe. Wesley Sprinkle added 16 points, while Logan Coats scored a season-high 13 points.

Tyler Bell (31) and Cortney Pitts (28) combined for 59 points, including 10-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc and 17-of-22 conversions at the free throw line. Gerard Tarrin notched nine rebounds and dished out five assists. 

Turnovers played a major factor; the Senators turned the ball over 16 times, generating 19 points for the Tigers. Each team managed to pull in 38 rebounds. 

The first half was an offensive struggle until Salem was able to break a 20-20 tie with a 10-3 jolt to take a 30-23 lead. D&E scored the final six points before the break, trimming the deficit to 30-29. 

The Tigers opened up a double-digit lead (49-39) with a 10-3 run, ignited by back-to-back threes from Bell and Pitts. The Senators battled valiantly to get within four at 65-61, but Salem converted on 14-of-20 attempts at the charity stripe over the final two minutes to secure the 86-76 win.  

Bell and Pitts scored 46 of Salem's 56 points after intermission. D&E turned the ball over nine times in the second half, while the Tigers lost possession just twice. SIU held a 17-14 advantage on the glass after halftime. 

Davis & Elkins travels to Central State on Thursday at 7:30.