CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Salisbury University men's basketball team notched a 75-71 victory over Eastern Shore rival Washington (Md.) College on Monday evening.

The Shoremen (4-8) tallied the game's first bucket as Sal Schittino converted a jump shot. Senior Eric Johnson got the Sea Gulls (6-6) on the board, as the guard converted a lay-up at the 18:51 mark. Over the next several minutes, the two teams would play at a back-and-forth pace, as neither team could seem to break away. Over the final 14 minutes of play, the Sea Gulls would build a seven-point advantage, fall behind by six points and then claim an eight-point lead as the teams headed for the locker room. At the end of the first half, SU led 42-34.

In the second half, the Sea Gulls posted the game's biggest lead, growing the advantage to as high as 11 points at 57-46 following a made three-point shot by freshman guard Brandyn Wilkerson with 12:46 remaining in the game. Washington regained the lead with 4:43 remaining as Chris Olsen brought the score to 67-65 after a pair of made free throws. SU senior center Chris McGrew responded with the next two baskets to give the Sea Gulls a lead they would not relinquish again.

The maroon and gold were propelled by a solid performance at the free throw line, as the Gulls converted 22-of-28 free throw attempts (.786 percent).

McGrew led SU in the contest, as he scored a team-high 21 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Junior forward Mike Maczko finished with 18 points and six rebounds. Johnson matched his previous career-high point total with 10 points in the victory.

The Shoremen received a game-high 26 points from Kevin Breslin. Breslin also pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double. Adam Naymick and Schittino chipped in with 10 points each.

The Sea Gulls will return to Capital Athletic Conference play this Wednesday when they are set to travel to the University of Mary Washington with a 4 p.m. start time.