The Salem Wildcats earned a much needed win Saturday knocking off Vandalia on the road 57-56. With the game tied in the final 10 seconds, Salem called a timeout and set up there would be game winning play. Sophomore Kaeden Bevolo got an open look but the shot hit off the rim. A hustling Ryegan Warren got the loose ball and found Bevolo again and he was fouled on a shot attempt with 1 second left.
Bevolo would hit the first free throw to give Salem the lead. Then after missing the next, Vandalia’s Andrew Casey heaved a 3/4 court shot that went in, but Coach Vashar had already called timeout before the shot attempt. Salem’s defense would hold off the Vandals final play for the victory.
Noah Nix led Salem with 14, 10 of those in the 2nd half. Warren finished with 13 and Ayden Rose hit a trio of three’s to finish with 9. Bevolo added 6 and Miking Ettress also added 6. Salem improved to 4-13 as they will travel to state ranked Breese Central on Friday night before next week’s Salem Invitational Tournament.
Vandalia was led by Qwentyn Stombaugh with 18, Lucas Bowers added 17 and Casey finished with 10.
Salem’s JV scored 49 points in the first half and cruised to a 69-47 victory. Madden Thompson led Salem with 21, Avery Gullion added 17, Payton Gullion 14 and Eli Baker 10.
The Salem Fresh/Soph will travel to Benton tonight.
