SALEM -- The Salem International women's team, behind a balanced effort, won its first game of the season Wednesday night, 67-46 over District of Columbia, despite the absence of coach Dave Crosier.
Crosier, missed the game due to personal reason, said Tigers assistant David Zinn, who coached SIU Wednesday night.
SIU (1-5) was led by Lashonda Tucker, who scored 16 points and had nine rebounds. Chrissy Luchuck scored 12 points, and Ashlee Hammersly and Giedre Mazelkaite each added 10.
"I'm very pleased with the way we ran our offense tonight," Zinn said. "The girls were very unselfish, and everybody seemed to step their game up."
Despite being outrebounded 50-47, Salem controlled the tempo. SIU had 11 steals to D.C.'s four and limited the Firebirds (1-7) to just seven assists.
"Top to bottom, this is our best effort of the year," Zinn said.
Limiting D.C. to six-of-26 shooting from the field in the first half, SIU built a 30-17 halftime lead.
Shamanya Coles led D.C., which defeated SIU earlier this season, with 15 points. Rhonda Anderson added 13.
SIU returns to action at 5:15 p.m. Saturday against Bluefield State.
