SU survives strong 2nd half by Stevenson, five Sea Gulls reach double-digit point totals

SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University men's basketball team had five players score double-digit point totals as the Sea Gulls held onto an 82-76 victory over Capital Athletic Conference foe Stevenson University on Monday night at the Maggs Center. SU, who led wire-to-wire, held off a furious second half comeback by the Mustangs to collect its second consecutive CAC victory.

Salisbury (7-9, 4-3 CAC) was led by sophomore center Ryan Hourihan (13 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks) who registered his second double-double of the season off the bench. Junior guard Greg Palmer extended his double-digit point streak to 11 games with a game-high 18 points. Fellow junior Devin Jones (17 points, nine rebounds, four assists) was one rebound shy of a double-double. Sophomore center Chris McGrew (12 points) and junior guard Ronald Mann (10 points, four assists) also reached double figures.

SU registered the first points of the game on a jumper by Mann but Stevenson (3-12, 2-4 CAC) would respond with a jumper by Keith Holtman to force the only tie of the game. Salisbury immediately answered back with a three-pointer by Palmer at the 18:21 mark and would never look back. Salisbury would extend its lead to 11 points following a 17-6 run nine minutes into the game. SU would continue to attack as its lead reached as high as 14 on a Jones' made free-throw attempt. Salisbury collected 25 first half rebounds, eight of which were from Hourihan, as the Sea Gulls went into halftime with a commanding 40-27 lead. The SU defense was outstanding as it limited the Mustangs to just an 8-for-34 (23.5 percent) shooting performance in the first half.

The Sea Gulls and Mustangs would trade baskets to begin the second half but Stevenson would come on strong. Kerry Dugan (12 points, six rebounds) capped a 7-0 Stevenson run with a jumper that cut the Sea Gull lead to seven, 46-39. SU would battle back and tally the next six points but the Mustangs would not lie down. Stevenson poured on 12 points over the next 2:34 minutes to come within two points, 53-51. Salisbury would answer again with two quick McGrew lay-ups but Stevenson was not fazed. A three-pointer by Palmer at the 5:45 mark appeared to be the final dagger to the Mustangs as the Sea Gulls would cruise the rest of the way. Salisbury benefited from a 14-for-17 performance from the free-throw line in the second half.

Stevenson was led by Greg Woody (25 points, four steals) who registered a game-high point total as he drained five three-point field goals. Guard Chaise Lancaster matched Dugan with 12 points.

The Sea Gulls will hit the road for three consecutive CAC games. The trip begins Wednesday, January 21, at 8 p.m. in Arlington, Va., against Marymount (Va.) University. Salisbury split the season series with the Saints last season, 1-1.