With the win, the Vulcans are off to their third 5-1 start in the last four years. Meanwhile, the Tigers drop to 5-4 this season.
Tipton finished with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and a perfect seven-of-seven from the free-throw line. The former South Western standout is averaging a career-high 10.3 points and shooting 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the floor this season.
Junior guard Freddy Appiah (Toronto, Ontario/Ascension of Our Lord) added 16 points and three steals, while senior forward Rashawd Hatten (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) posted 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals on Saturday.
The two teams combined for 17 lead changes and six ties in the first half before Salem International took a 36-33 lead into halftime. The score was tied at 55-55 with 8:25 left in the game before the Vulcans mounted a 12-2 rally over a span of two-plus minutes to take a 57-67 lead. During the run, Appiah scored eight of his 16 points and the Tigers committed three turnovers.
Cal U stretched its lead to 14 points, 74-60, on a pair of free-throws by Tipton at the 2:21-mark before Salem International cut the deficit to seven points, 74-67, with 1:05 left in the game. Tipton then added a pair of free-throws and Hatten blocked a shot in the final seconds to preserve the victory.
For the game, Cal U shot 45.2 percent (28-of-62) from the floor and 83.3 percent (15-of-18) from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Salem International made 39.3 percent (24-of-61) of its shots from the field, including 33.3 percent (9-of-27) from beyond the arc. The Vulcans also collected 12 steals after forcing the Tigers into 19 turnovers, which were converted into 24 points.
Senior guard Demetric Walker led four Tigers in double figures with 18 points, while sophomore guard Ray’mar Porter finished with 16 points.
Cal U is idle for nearly three weeks due to finals and Christmas before returning to action on Dec. 30 when it hosts Shepherd at 7 p.m.
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