SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University women's basketball program fell 52-50 in a tight battle with the University of Mary Washington Wednesday night inside Maggs Gymnasium.
The back-and-forth first quarter saw three ties and three lead changes as the teams continued to trade baskets early. The Eagles (9-12) earned the lead at the end of the first 13-11 over the Sea Gulls (11-8). Both squads struggled from the floor in the first, SU shot 20 percent from the floor, while UMW shot 33 percent.
The Salisbury offense came to life in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles 21-13 and earning a six-point halftime lead. SU used a 14-5 run in a four minute span to take charge of the ball game. The Sea Gulls hit three three-pointers in the quarter and shot 43 percent from the floor.
Mary Washington was able to flip the script in the third quarter, outscoring SU 17-6 and heading into the final quarter of action with a five-point advantage. The Eagles shot 62 percent from the floor in the quarter and started the quarter on a 12-0 run. SU went 2-17 from the floor in the quarter.
The Sea Gulls were able to outscore the Eagles 12-9 in the final quarter of action but still fell short down the stretch. SU knocked down two free throws with under a minute and a half remaining to bring the deficit to just two but could not convert on two final possessions to tie the game.
Game Notes
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Abby Plaugher led the Sea Gulls with 14 points, five steals, three rebounds, and three assists.
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Kayla Nieberlein posted 10 points with seven rebounds.
- The Sea Gulls shot 28 percent from the floor for the game and the Eagles posted a 41 percent shooting clip.
- SU did win the rebound battle 43-40 and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to just 10 for the Eagles.
- The Salisbury defense tallied 14 steals and forced 23 turnovers from the Eagles.
Salisbury is back on the road this weekend when they take on Penn State Harrisburg at 11 a.m. from Middletown, Pa. The game was orginally scheduled for 3 p.m. but due to incoming weather the game was moved up.
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming), Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse), State University of New York Athletic Conference (field hockey), and Colonial Women's Golf Conference (women's golf). With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's 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 won a combined 23 team national championships, 24 individual national championships, and 206 conference championships, and have produced 54 Academic All-Americans.
