LEXINGTON, Va. – The Salisbury University women's basketball team found its rhythm in the second half but it was too little, too late in an 80-65 defeat at the hands of the Washington & Lee Generals in the W&L Invitational on Saturday afternoon at Holekamp Gym.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Brianna Shuttlewood knocked down a three-pointer a minute and a half in to give the Generals their first lead. The Sea Gulls stayed within three points as Alex Bull sank two free throws to make it 9-6 at the 6:12 mark of the first quarter.
• W&L rattled off nine points in a row over the next two minutes to extend its lead to 18-6, and the Generals would take a 12-point lead out of the opening period by leading 24-12.
• The home side controlled the rhythm throughout the second quarter, building its lead as high as 23 points and carrying a 42-21 advantage into halftime.
• Bull went on her own 8-4 run to get SU within 46-29 at the 6:54 mark of the third quarter, and a pair of free throws by Cora Shafer made it 46-31 midway through the period.
• W&L rebounded and rebuild the lead to 19, but a pair from the line by Tori Rumbaugh got it back to 54-37 at the end of the third.
• The Generals nudged the lead back into the 20s on and off during the fourth quarter, going up 78-57 with a minute to go. Bull and Nicole Miller hit consecutive treys in the final minute, and a layup by Miller brought the game to its final 80-65 margin.

SALISBURY GAME NOTES

• Alex Bull netted a career-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, plus six rebounds and three steals.
• Abby Plaugher came off the bench for 14 points, making 3-of-6 from long range.
• Nicole Miller scored 10 points, while Tori Rumbaugh and Cora Shafer each added seven.
• The Sea Gulls shot 27.8 percent (20-of-72) from the floor, going 6-of-24 (25 percent) from three and 19-of-28 (67.9 percent) from the line.
• SU lost the rebounding battle 54-47 but outrebounded the Generals on the offensive glass, 22-19.
• Salisbury forced 20 W&L turnovers, winning the margin by five.

WASHINGTON & LEE GAME NOTES

• Mary Schleusner led all scorers with 28 points (12-of-16) and hauled in 14 rebounds for a double-double. Schleusner also blocked six shots.
• Hanna Malik and Brianna Shuttlewood scored 12 points apiece.
• Lauren Achter narrowly missed her own double-double with nine points and 12 boards.
• The Generals shot 43.3 percent (29-of-67) on their field goal attempts, making 9-of-25 (36 percent) and 13-of-23 (56.5 percent) from the stripe.
• W&L assisted on 22 of its 29 field goals.

UP NEXT

• The Sea Gulls will complete their run at the W&L Invitational on Sunday afternoon against Lynchburg.
• Tipoff from Holekamp Gym is set for 2 p.m.

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Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 197 conference championships, and 45 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.