FREDERICK, Md. - The Salisbury University men's basketball team faced a win and in scenario on Saturday evening on the road against Hood College to earn a berth into the Capital Athletic Conference tournament. The Sea Gulls battled with the Blazers until the final horn but suffered a heart-breaking loss, 73-72, at Governor Thomas Johnson High School.

Salisbury (6-19, 4-12 CAC) found itself down by seven points, 65-58, with just three minutes left to play. The Sea Gulls outscored the Blazers 11-6 to pull within two, 71-69, as 31 seconds remained. The Blazers converted two crucial free-throw attempts to increase their lead to four points with just seconds remaining.

The Sea Gulls never gave up as sophomore Greg Palmer (15 points) hit a three-pointer with two seconds left. Hood's Mark McGlone had a chance to ice the game but missed two free throws to give SU hope but time ran out on the Sea Gulls as McGlone missed his last free throw.

With a Wesley loss today the Blazers cliniched the third seed in the CAC tournament which allowed Salisbury into the tournament as the No. 8 seed. Salisbury went 1-1 this season against Hood College while last-place Gallaudet University got swept by the Blazers. Salisbury will meet top-seed York (Pa.) College on Tuesday, February 26, at 8 p.m. in the quarterfinals.

Sea Gull guard Gary Ward led the team in scoring with 19 points as he shot 50 percent (4-for-8) from behind the three-point line. Sophomore Matt DeLizio played the game of his career as he scored 13 points and brought down nine rebounds, both career highs for the forward. Junior guards Brandon Abney contributed seven points and eight rebounds while Sean Whittaker (five points) and Wesley Sweet (three points) had a team-high four assists each.

Hood was led by guard Ryan Junghans' 22 points and Tyler Snoots' 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Blazers will host sixth seed Marymount (Va.) University on Tuesday at 7 p.m.