SALISBURY, Md. - Virginia Wesleyan College led by 13 points with six minutes remaining in Tuesday night's women's basketball game against Salisbury University at the Maggs Center. The Sea Gulls made a spirited comeback but ran out of time as the Marlins survived with a 68-62 victory to spoil the home debut for SU first-year coach Charisse Mapp.

Salisbury (1-3) led once early in the game, three minutes in, but would play catch up the majority of the evening. Junior guard Monica Merkel led the Sea Gulls with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. SU received 29 points from its bench led by forwards Kylie Hall and Christina Klamp who both chipped in eight points apiece.

VWC (2-3) took a 32-27 lead into halftime as the Marlins had three players score in double digits. Forward Heather Phillips led the way with 17 points, six rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. Guard Andrea Ushinski added 16 points and eight rebounds while teammate Chelsey Barrett poured in 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds. VWC only got 11 points from its bench.

SU shot 47 percent from the field (27-for-58) which was one point shy of Virginia Wesleyan who made 48 percent from the field (25-for-52). The Sea Gulls outrebounded the Marlins, 32-28.

Salisbury will open up its Capital Athletic Conference schedule next Wednesday, November 28, with a tough task of traveling to No. 8 University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., for a 5 p.m. game.