The Salem boys basketball team traveled to Carroll County for their first game back from the holiday break and dropped a 44-40 decision to the Cavaliers.
Salem led by eight points at the half, but Carroll took advantage of some turnovers by the Spartans to start the third quarter. It was a back and forth game from that point, and the home team won out down the stretch.
“We made some mental mistakes, and we just didn’t get it done,” said Salem coach Kevin Garst. “We had three straight turnovers to start the second half and we never put together a good run after that.”
Shane Simpson led Salem with 15 points and Baylor Mabes had 11. Isaiah Donaldson and Jacob Dobb had six points each.
The loss dropped the Spartans to 2-7, and they’ll try to pick up a win when Blacksburg visits tonight. Salem is at Cave Spring next Tuesday, then goes to Hidden Valley on Friday, January 13.