SALEM, W. Va. (courtesy of @UrsulineArrows) – The Ursuline College basketball team won its third straight Great Midwest Athletic Conference game on Saturday (Jan. 18) afternoon, defeating host Salem International University 79-66. Each of UC's last three victories has been by at least 13 points.

The Arrows have climbed a game over the .500 mark at 8-7 overall and 4-2 in the G-MAC. Salem International finished the day at 4-11 overall and 0-6 in conference action.

Shannon Sword's team led by as many as 20 in the first period before taking a 14-point lead (39-25) into halftime. Salem International got within five at 60-55 before Ursuline settled back in and built its lead to 13 with two minutes remaining. The Arrows were a perfect 13-13 from the free throw line in the second half against Ohio Valley University on Thursday (Jan. 16) and today, UC was 15-18 (83.3 percent) from the charity stripe in the second half.

Freshman point guard Erica Huber was huge for Sword's team in the second half. She had 17 of her game-high 22 points in the final period and finished with 13 assists, tying junior Brianna Woods for the single game school record. Huber scored 12 points at the free throw line and missed just one attempt from the 15-foot line. She valued the basketball and turned it over just four times in her 35 minutes of action.

Huber's class and backcourt mate Jenny Grigsby had a career-high 18 points, 10 of which came in the first half. Junior Emma Ricketts recorded her third double-double of the season with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds and rookie Tajanee Wells (12) also scored in double figures while pulling down eight boards.

Inkera Patterson had a strong second half and finished with 16 points to lead SIU. Porcha Davis finished with 15 points on 4-9 (44.4 percent) shooting and Jessica Lagard chipped in 10.

Ursuline outrebounded Salem International by 12, 41-29. UC had 12 offensive boards that led to 11 second chance points. SIU did force 20 turnovers which led to 15 points but UC was still able to win the game despite forcing five fewer turnovers on the road.

The Arrows will begin a tough stretch with the two teams at the top of the conference standings both paying UC a visit in the week ahead. Ursuline's next game will be Wednesday (Jan. 22) against Kentucky Wesleyan College (11-5, 6-1 G-MAC) at Quicken Loans Arena, home of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip-off is set for 1:45 p.m.

Max Radigan will call the game live on the Ursuline College Sports Network and the game will also be covered with the Pizzazz on the Circle Live Stats.

For more information on the special day at The Q, please visit www.TinyURL.com/UCatTheQ.