The Salem High boys basketball team saw their season come to an end with a 60-54 loss to Blacksburg in the first round of the Region 4D tournament on Monday. Blacksburg was the fourth seed and hosted fifth seeded Salem.
The Spartans led at the half, 32-30, and held a 41-37 lead after three quarters. However, Blacksburg outscored the Salemites in the fourth quarter, 23-13, making 14 of 16 free throws while Salem was one for two.
Nick Owen led Salem with 12 points and Owyn Dawyot had nine. Dawyot fouled out in the fourth quarter but Owen hit two threes and a free throw to keep the Spartans close. Jaelyn Allen had seven points, six coming in the fourth quarter, and Tanner Dallas had six.
Blacksburg advanced to Wednesday’s second round at top-seeded Amherst County.
The loss ended Salem’s abbreviated season at 0-6. The Spartans ended the regular season with a 59-41 loss at James River on Saturday.