SALISBURY, Md. - In the championship game of the 2007 Optimist Classic the Salisbury University women's basketball team fell to No. 5 Messiah College, 70-45, on Saturday evening at the Maggs Center.

Salisbury (2-5) was led by junior Monica Merkel who scored 13 points and added nine rebounds. Sophomore Kylie Hall added six points and six rebounds for the Sea Gulls. Hall was also named to the all-tournament team.

The Sea Gulls kept it close until halftime trailing 30-28 but Messiah (7-0) pulled away during the second half outscoring Salisbury 40-17.

Messiah was led by Amy Reed who scored a game high 16 points on 2-of-3 shooting from three point range. Reed added three rebounds and was named to the all-tournament team. 

Nikki Lobach scored 11 points for the Falcon's and added two assists as she was named the tournament MVP.

Salisbury shot 14 percent from the field during the second half and shot 25 percent for the entire game. Messiah outscored the Sea Gulls in the paint 28-14 for the game.

In the women's consolation game Allegheny beat Shenandoah, 87-54.

The Sea Gulls return to action as they host St. Mary's (Md.) College on Wednesday, December 5, in a Capital Athletic Conference game at 5:30 p.m.

2007 Optimist Classic Women's All-Tournament Team
Emilie Simone - Allegheny
Nikki Lobach (MVP) - Messiah
Amy Reed - Messiah
Kylie Hall - Salisbury
Stephanie Harrold - Shenandoah