CRESSON, Pa. - The Salisbury University men's
basketball team opened up its season this past weekend at the
Hampton Inn Coaches vs. Cancer Classic and the maroon and gold
split its two games at the tournament as they finished in second
place.
The Sea Gulls (1-1) held on for a three point, 83-80, win over
tournament host Mt. Aloysius in the first game on Friday evening
(November 16) and fell in the championship game, 68-58, to
Allegheny College. Last season, SU won this tournament to begin its
2006-07 season.
Senior Gary Ward scored a team-high 18 points
in the first contest and added another 14 points against Allegheny
to lead the Sea Gulls. Sophomore Greg Palmer
recorded a game-high 17 points in the championship game.
In game one, SU trailed by six at the intermission, 44-38, and
got down by as many as 11 points in the second half but rallied for
the comeback win. The Sea Gulls were outrebounded 31-27 but shot
over 47 percent from three-point range to aid in the come from
behind win. Ward had a game-high nine assists in the win.
In the championship game, Palmer scored nine of his 17 points
from behind the three-point line as he was 3-of-5 shooting from
long range. Ward, junior Brandon Abney and
sophomore Drew Dickson each scored double digits
in the loss.
The Sea Gulls built a seven-point lead at 7:37 in the first half
but relinquished the advantage two minutes later and never led
again.
The maroon and gold return to action on Tuesday, November 20, as
they host former Capital Athletic Conference member Goucher College
in the first round of the Pride of Maryland Tournament at 7 p.m. at
Maggs Physical Activities Center.
