CARLISLE, Pa. - The Salisbury University men's basketball team received double-digit point contributions from four different players but it was not enough as the Sea Gulls came up short, 68-56, to Eastern University on Friday evening in the first game of the Dickinson College Tip-Off Tournament.

Salisbury (0-2) jumped out to an early 12-point lead, 16-4, six minutes into the game but that lead faded quickly as Eastern (3-0) was able to climb back in the game. The Eagles went on a 13-0 run that encompassed nearly five minutes to steal the lead from the Sea Gulls, 24-21, late in the first half. The teams traded buckets to end the first half as the Eagles went into the break up 34-29.

Junior Devin Jones drained a bucket three minutes into the second half to regain the lead for Salisbury at 35-34. The next trip down the court, sophomore forward Ryan Hourihan (10 points, six rebounds) slammed down a dunk to give the Gulls a three-point advantage. The lead was short lived as Eastern went on a 16-3 run to open up a 10-point lead and ultimately seal the win.

Despite the loss three Sea Gulls, junior Greg Palmer (eight rebounds), sophomore center Chris McGrew (six rebounds) and Jones (six assists), each poured in 11 points to lead the offensive attack for the Sea Gulls. Junior Preston Faulk provided a spark off the bench with six points and two steals in the loss.

Eastern had three players in double figures led by Jason Reels' game-high 21 points (7-for-16 shooting from the field) and six rebounds. Martin Soaries came off the bench to add 13 points and two steals. Carlos Pujols also provided an offensive boost off the bench with 10 points and seven rebounds.

The maroon and gold will be back in action Saturday afternoon for the second day of the Dickinson College Tip-Off Tournament as SU will face Grove City at 1:30 pm. Grove City lost the second game on Friday evening, 69-65, to the host Dickinson College.