FREDERICK, Md. – The Salisbury University men's basketball team nabbed its first win of the 2024-25 campaign, coming back from down 16 points to earn a 75-71 victory over the Gators of Notre Dame (Md.) on the final day of the Rotary Tip-Off Tournament on the campus of Hood College.
The Sea Gulls (1-1) started strong, scoring the first six points of the contest across the opening three minutes. Notre Dame responded with a 10-0 run to take the lead with just under 14 minutes left in the half, 10-6.
The Gators (0-2) and Sea Gulls traded baskets in the ensuing minutes with a
Kedrick Frink layup cutting the lead to three, 15-12. Notre Dame widened their lead to 10 with a 10-3 run, leading 25-15 with just under seven minutes to go in the period.
Reed Rebstock caught fire late in the half, singlehandedly outscoring the Gators 8-2 over the next two minutes. Notre Dame widened the lead to eight points with 98 seconds left, but back-to-back Frink three-pointers helped reduce the gap to four at intermission.
The Gators held the Sea Gulls without a make from the field through the second half's opening five minutes, building an 8-1 run to lead 45-34 through four minutes. Shortly after, Notre Dame tallied seven straight points, opening their largest lead at 54-38.
A switch flipped in the final 14 minutes as Salisbury uncorked a mammoth 28-3 run spanning nearly 10 full minutes to regain the lead, 66-57. Rebstock led the charge in that span, scoring 13 of SU's 28 to spark the rally, while
Aidan Camper dumped in consecutive three-balls to aid the effort.
A pair of Gator three-pointers were interrupted by yet another Rebstock make from range, but six straight from the opposition cut the lead to three with just 71 seconds to play. Camper and
Brendan Davis helped put the game on ice, combining for the squad's final six points to secure the 75-71 win.
GAME NOTES
- Reed Rebstock dropped a career-high 23 points in the victory, matching his career-highs in field goals made (8) and attempted (13) while splashing five from beyond the arc and adding seven boards. For his efforts, Rebstock was named to the All-Tournament team.
- After tying for 11th nationally in double-doubles a season ago, Jordan Oates picked up his first of 2024-25 with 13 points and 14 rebounds, six of the offensive variety. He also blocked a pair of Gator attempts in the win.
- Kedrick Frink played a team-high 38 minutes, dropping 15 points and securing four rebounds.
- Brendan Davis played a key role for the Sea Gulls, tallying nine points while adding seven boards and seven helpers.
The Sea Gulls make their home debut on Tuesday, Nov. 12th, clashing with the St. Mary's (Md.) Seahawks at 8 p.m. following the women's basketball team's home opener against Notre Dame (Md.) at 6 p.m.
Tickets for Tuesday's doubleheader can be purchased
here. Fans can also purchase access to 14 home basketball games for the price of 12 with the 2024-25 Season Pass, available for purchase
here.
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 23 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, 200 conference championships, and 50 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.
