NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Salisbury University women's basketball team fell on Thursday evening to Christopher Newport University, 73-72, in a Capital Athletic Conference semifinal game.

The game came down to the last second, as freshman guard Lauren Rothfeld pulled down a rebound on a missed Captains foul shot and passed the ball to junior guard Sarah Seipp, who dribbled the length of the court, but her contested layup bounced off the rim, as CNU took the victory and a shot at the CAC championship.

After a layup from sophomore forward Kathy Albornoz with 3:40 left in the game, Salisbury led by six, 70-64, but Christopher Newport ended the game on a 9-2 run, taking the win.

Seipp led the team with 26 points on the night, while junior guard Anna Hackett added 15 points and led with seven assists.

The Sea Gulls opened the game on an 8-2 run to take an early lead in the first four minutes; Seipp opened the Gulls' scoring with a jumper and added a layup to score four of the first points.

CNU fought back and eventually took the lead, 14-12, eventually pushing it to 20-15, but Seipp was fouled on a three and made all three free throws to cut the lead back down to two.

A layup from Albornoz tied the game, 20-20, and the score remained close for the rest of the half. CNU led late, 31-29, but a 12-6 run for SU ended the half.

Seipp drained two threes, while Hackett and junior forward Becca Himes each added four points, allowing Salisbury to take a 42-37 lead into halftime.

At the break, Salisbury was leading in shooting, 46.7 percent to CNU's 37.1 percent and was out rebounding the Captains 22-16.

The second half remained as close as the first, with the teams battling shot-for-shot for their chance to play in the conference championship game.

With 10:58 remaining, the score was tied, 57-57, but a Hackett layup would spark an 11-4 run that would but the Sea Gulls ahead, 68-61; Seipp capped the stretch with a layup and free throw.

From there, CNU closed the game on its run for the win.

Himes and Rothfeld both reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively, as well, while Albornoz pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.