SALISBURY — Consolation games at 9 a.m. in a Christmas tournament provide a tough mental test and, for a while, the Mooresville and Salisbury girls took turns trying to give it away.

On the strength of a red-hot start, the Blue Devils (4-8) claimed a low scoring 39-32 victory over the third-seeded Hornets to open Day 2 of the Dale’s/Sam Moir Christmas Classic at Catawba’s Goodman gym.

Mooresville center Hiyah Davis and guard Sara Vanhoy led the charge in a decisive 16-2 start that extended into the second quarter as the Hornets (7-5) suffered through their second straight subpar offensive performance in the tournament.

Salisbury took a 2-0 lead at 7:01 in the first quarter but did not score again until Bryanna Troutman hit a layup at 6:15 of the second quarter. The miserable start included eight missed shots, and five turnovers for a Hornet team that came into the tournament averaging over 53 points per game.

“That is just what has been going on here lately,” said Salisbury Coach Lakai Brice. “We play good defense but we just can’t score the basketball. But we will learn from this and get better going forward.”

Despite the bad beginning, the Hornets battled back behind Troutman and guard Tyzarea Alexander to cut the Blue Devil lead to 29-23 at the end of the third quarter. Salisbury got within five twice in the final period but Mooresville’s Vanhoy hit four of four foul shots in the final minute to preserve the win.

Davis, a 5-11 sophomore center for Mooresville, controlled the middle with 10 points, nine rebounds and five steals while Vanhoy added nine, including five of five from the line. Troutman led the Hornets with 15 before fouling out late, with Alexander scoring 10 and Maria Capito contributing six points and five steals.

The Blue Devils will play Davie in the girls 5th place game today at noon. Salisbury finds themselves back in the 9 a.m. 7th place consolation contest this morning against South Rowan.

Mooresville (39) — Davis 10, Vanhoy 9, Hull 4, Darr 3, Allen 3, Bailey 2, Privette 2, Jones 1, Lewis 1.

Salisbury (32) — Troutman 15, Capito 6, Alexander 10, Phifer 4, T. Robinson 3, Hightower 2, Howard, Glenn, H. Robinson, Daniels

Mooresville   13   12    4    10 — 39

Salisbury     2  9  12   9 — 32