FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - The Salisbury University men's basketball team dropped its Capital Athletic Conference opener 69-53 to the hands of University of Mary Washington on the road Wednesday night at Goolrick Gym.

Sophomore guard Greg Palmer led all Sea Gulls with 18 points and a team-high five rebounds. Senior guard Gary Ward was the other Gull to score in double figures as he chipped in 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Salisbury (2-4, 0-1 CAC) shot 32 percent from the field as Mary Washington (2-1, 1-0 CAC) made 52 percent of its shots. UMW was led by senior Jon Pierce and sophomore Brandon Altmann who scored 15 points apiece.

The Eagles led 28-21 at the half as UMW made 14 of its 23 turnovers in the opening half.

SU will host the Optimist Classic this Friday and Saturday at the Maggs Center. The Sea Gulls will play Albright College on Friday night at 8 p.m. Manhattanville College will play Ramapo College in the second game of the afternoon at 3 p.m. The winners of Friday's games will play in the championship game on Saturday at 8 p.m. The consolation game will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.