SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University women's basketball team lost to Widener College, 69-47, on Friday evening in the Sea Gulls' first game of the 2008 Optimist Classic held at the Maggs Center.

Salisbury (0-7) matched Widener (3-3) stride-for-stride early in the game as the two teams were deadlocked at 11-11 just seven minutes into the game. SU junior Kylie Hall sparked the maroon and gold offense as she scored four of her season-high 13 points. The Sea Gulls ran into some early foul trouble which hampered their offensive rhythm as Widener was able to gain momentum and took a 12-point lead into halftime, 31-19.

The Sea Gulls came out aggressive on defense in the second half and limited the Pride to just 29 percent shooting from the field. The offense fed off of the strong defensive play as the Sea Gulls were able to pour in 28 second half points.

Hall had an overall strong game for the Gulls as she shot 4-for-10 from the floor and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. She also contributed a steal and an assist in the loss. In her second game back from injury, sophomore Chante McKinney scored 11 points (5-for-11 shooting) and had two steals. Freshman Sherrita Hall contributed a solid effort off the bench with eight points, five rebounds and an assist. Freshman Glen Charlton and Katharine Curran each added seven points apiece in the defeat.

Widener was led offensively by senior Beth Dessart Mager who scored a game-high 16 points. Senior Barbara Fleming (14 points), freshman Casey Fritz (11 points) and sophomore Alex Held (10) all reached double figures for the Pride.

The maroon and gold will look to bounce back tomorrow evening in the second day of the 2008 Optimist Classic. The Sea Gulls will square-off with Lebanon Valley College at 6 p.m. The Dutchmen defeated York (N.Y.) College, 72-37, on Friday afternoon. Widener will face York (N.Y.) in the first game Saturday at 1 p.m.    

2008 Optimist Classic - Women's Basketball

Friday, December 5
Lebanon Valley 72, York (N.Y.) 39 - Box Score
Widener 69, Salisbury 47 - Box Score

Saturday, December 6
York (N.Y.) vs. Widener, 1 p.m.
Lebanon Valley vs. Salisbury, 6 p.m.