SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University men's basketball team was firing on all cylinders in its contest against Capital Athletic Conference opponent the University of Mary Washington on Saturday afternoon, earning a hard-fought 72-68 victory in front of over 300 spectators at Maggs Physical Activities Center.

The Eagles (13-7, 7-5 CAC) opened up scoring and had a lead for precisely one minute and 30 seconds; the Sea Gulls (9-12, 4-8 CAC) quickly evened things up and eventually pulled ahead. Scoring remained relatively close throughout the first half, but a huge pair of back-to-back three-pointers off the fingertips of senior guard David Pearman stretched Salisbury's lead to eight with just over three minutes left in the first half. Pearman scored 16 points in the first 20 minutes of the contest alone, and the Sea Gulls took a 34-25 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Mary Washington fought back in the second half, earning its second lead of the game with just over 12 minutes to play, but the advantage was short-lived – just 11 seconds later, junior forward Mike Maczko drained a bucket to put the Sea Gulls up 47-46. 

With 6:24 left in the game, the Eagles took their largest lead of the day – five points – but a clutch three-pointer by senior guard Eric Johnson brought Salisbury back to within two. The Sea Gull lead was regained with just over four minutes left to play when Pearman connected again from behind the arc to put Salisbury up by a bucket.

The excitement in the air was palpable as the clock wound down with Salisbury ahead, forcing Mary Washington to foul. A pair of free throws from junior guard Devin Posey with 11 seconds remaining put the exclamation point on the win. 

Pearman was deadly from downtown, going 5-for-8, and finished with a game-high 23 points. Senior center Chris McGrew wasn't far behind, netting 15 points. Johnson finished with 14. 

Salisbury will remain within the friendly confines of Maggs Physical Activities Center for its next two contests, starting with a CAC match-up against St. Mary's (Md.) College on Wednesday, Feb. 9. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.