By Marny Hendrick

sports@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Salisbury Hornets finally got their offense back on track to a degree Wednesday morning but it was still defense that carried the day in a 45-27 win over South Rowan.

The Hornet girls notched 15 steals and closed out the game on a 13-2 run to claim 7th place in the annual Dale’s/Sam Moir Christmas Classic at Catawba College’s Goodman Gym.

“We played much better as a team and passed the ball very well today,” Hornet Coach Lakai Brice said. “We really needed this one to build our confidence back up as we start conference play.”

Freshman Bryanna Troutman had 16 points and 11 rebounds while sophomore Maria Capito had 14 points, including four three-point field goals and four steals as Salisbury (8-5) ended a three game losing skid. Tacorra Robinson had five points and Mariah Glenn added four points and four steals to the win.

Brice also noted with pride it was her team’s first Moir tourney victory in her three seasons at the helm. “That is huge for this team and I am very proud of them for their progress,” Brice said.

The final winning margin was not indicative of the close nature of the game as the young and short-handed Raiders (2-11) battled throughout. Down 18-8 at the half, South used eight straight points by guard T ‘ziah Hardin in the third period to trim the deficit to 23-18.

The Hornets were up only 30-25 with just over three minutes left to play when Troutman, Capito and Maria Glenn led a defensive effort to spark the decisive 13-2 run to close out the game.

“It was a close ball game in the fourth quarter and we just kind of unraveled in the last two minutes,” Raider coach John Davis said. “But they played hard and that is what we expect of them.”

South already had four players out with injuries for the tournament then had to battle the Hornets without the services of freshman guard Janiya Downs, their leading scorer, out with a concussion suffered on Tuesday. “But that was an opportunity for other young ladies like Hardin, Rhia Kimmer and Jolee Smith to step in ,” Davis said. “They did a good job.”

Hardin finished with 11 points, 10 in the second half while Kimmer added seven and Smith tallied four points. Riley Corriher contributed five rebounds and four steals.

Both teams return to league action on Jan. 5.  Salisbury will host CCC powerhouse East Davidson at 6 p.m. next Tuesday while South travels to face SPC foe Robinson.

S. Rowan (27) — Hardin 11, Kimmer 7, Smith 4, Rollins 2, Williams 2, Corriher 1.

Salisbury (45) — Troutman 16, Capito 14, T. Robinson 5, Alexander 4, M. Glenn 4, Robinson 2, Phifer, J. Glenn.

South Rowan   3  5    14    5 — 27

Salisbury   8  10   9   18 — 45