SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University men's basketball team played tough but fell to the Rowan Profs, 84-74, in a non-conference matchup at home on Friday.

THE RUNDOWN

Final Score: Rowan 84, Salisbury 74
Records: Salisbury (4-8) | Rowan (4-5)
Location: Maggs PAC – Salisbury, Md.

BOX SCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Salisbury fired the opening salvo of the contest when Gary Briddell knocked down a corner three-pointer.
• Salisbury relinquished the lead in the middle parts of the first half and Rowan would go out to a 24-18 lead with 8:37 when Ryan O'Leary hit a jumper just outside the paint.
• Behind a 12-2 run that spanned four-plus minutes, Salisbury took a 27-26 lead when Devin Garrett converted a layup in the paint after a Rowan turnover.
• The Salisbury offense stalled the end the half as Rowan regained the 40-33 lead off a 14-6 scoring. Salisbury did get the final points of the half when Mike Ward knocked down a three at the top of the arc off an assist by Garrett.
• Rowan's lead stretched to as much as 11 points when Austin Kearney made a layup to give the Profs the 56-45 lead with 13:03 left in regulation.
• Salisbury battled back to take a one-point lead, 64-63, with 8:12 left in the half when Cameron Heard sunk two free throws to cap off a 19-8 scoring run by the maroon and gold.
• After the two teams traded the lead in the middle parts of the second half, Rowan put Salisbury away for good off of a 14-4 run that saw the Profs knock down three from deep during the run.
• Salisbury did trim the lead to six, 80-74, with just over 31 seconds in regulation when Briddell converted a put-back.
• Rowan sealed the win with free throws to take the 84-74 win.

GAME NOTES

• Four Sea Gulls notched double figures with Lucas Martin leading the way with 21 points. Martin shot 9-of-22 from the floor and pulled down seven rebounds.
• Mike Ward and Devin Garrett each netted 14 points. Garrett grabbed a team-best nine rebounds.
• Gary Briddell recorded 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
• Johnny Fierstein dished out a game-high six assists. He also chipped in with four rebounds and a pair of steals.
• Salisbury took advantage of Rowan turnovers as they scored 15 points off of 14 turnovers.
• 14 of Salisbury's 40 rebounds were offensive boards which resulted in 14 points.

UP NEXT

• Salisbury will be back in action after Christmas when they take part in the two-day Great Lakes Invitational in Wooster, Ohio.
• The Sea Gulls open the tournament with the sixth-ranked Marietta Pioneers on Saturday, Dec. 28.
• The game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.
• Video and live stats are available.