ARLINGTON, Va. – In a game that featured strong defense on both sides, the Salisbury University women's basketball team fell to Marymount (Va.) University, 50-38, in Capital Athletic Conference play on Wednesday night.

The Sea Gulls started the contest on a 7-4 spurt that lasted almost eight minutes into the first period. The opening stretch was highlighted by a three ball from sophomore Mary McDonagh off an assist by junior Lauren Rothfeld.

The Saints battled back with an 8-2 run that carried over to 8:24 in the second period. Nicole Viscuso scored all but two points during the spurt.

Salisbury got the game back within one point after sophomore Morgan Grubb cashed in a jumper from the left side, but three points from Kievanna Lacey put Marymount back up by four with 6:54 before halftime.

The Gulls scored five-straight points, led by another long ball from McDonagh, to take a 16-15 advantage at 5:39 before the Saints ended the first half on a 7-0 stretch. Lacey notched four points during the run.

Marymount opened the third quarter on a 6-2 run to build a 10-point lead four minutes into the period.

Salisbury used an 8-4 stretch late in the third, highlighted by three points from freshman Kaylyn French, including a layup from the right side.

After a layup from Kiki Laux that put Marymount up by eight, McDonagh hit another three to put the score at 34-29 with 1:19 left in the third.

Marymount would then go on a 15-2 run that carried all the way to 4:31 into the fourth quarter. Leah Hurst scored four during the spurt.

A 6-0 run for Salisbury got the Gulls within eight points, including a layup from sophomore Josephine Noonan, but the spurt would not be enough as the Saints held on for the win.

McDonagh led the Sea Gulls with a game-high 14 points, including shooting 4-for-5 from long range. Noonan finished with eight points and five rebounds, while senior Julia McLaughlin tallied four points and four rebounds.

Salisbury will be back in action on Saturday, February 20, when they host Frostburg State University for senior day and the annual Play4Kay game. That game is set for 1 p.m.