ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College women's basketball team rolled to an easy 83-52 victory over Salem College on Tuesday afternoon in their first game of 2022.

The Bishops got off to a strong start running out to an 11-0 lead before leading 21-7 at the end of the opening quarter. The Bishops then outscored the Spirits 22-19 in the second to lead 43-26 at the break.

Wesleyan then played strong defense in the third quarter holding Salem to just 12 points while outscoring them 23-12 before a competitive fourth quarter saw Wesleyan take it 17-14 to grab the 30-point win.

Former player of the week, junior forward Kayrisma Harrison led the Bishops with another strong double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds (tying a season-high) along with 2 assists and a block. Fellow forward, Johnay Goddard also played well scoring a season best of 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting with 5 rebounds and 2 steals.

Junior point guard Nyesha Best also had a solid all-around game as she recorded season highs with 6 assists and 5 rebounds along with scoring 5 points while fellow guards Myesha Best and Areina Harris also tallied 8 points apiece with Harris also bringing down 6 rebounds. Sophomore forward Nadia Simmons was the third member of the Bishops to finish in double-figures scoring 10 points with 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Wesleyan shot 42 percent overall and limited Salem to just 12 percent from three-point range. 

NC Wesleyan improves to 5-7 overall and 3-2 in the conference with the win while Salem falls to 1-10 and 0-5. 

The Bishops will now go on the road to battle Southern Virginia on Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM.