SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University men's basketball team took care of business by defeating the Apprentice School Builders, 75-61, on Saturday night at Maggs Physical Activities Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams started cold from the field, shooting a combined 0-for-6 to begin the game. Johnny Fierstein broke the ice with 17:34 on the clock with a baseline lay-in for the opening bucket of the game.
- The teams traded shots back and forth for the next 12 minutes. With the game knotted at 21, Greg Bloodsworth found Paul Garcia in the corner, who drilled the go-ahead three-pointer, 24-21, with 4:32 left in the first half and sparked the Salisbury offense.
- The Sea Gulls finished out the half on 12-4 scoring run capped off by a Bloodsworth three-pointer and a Sean Carr layup on back-to-back possessions to allow the maroon and gold to take a 33-25 lead into the halftime locker room.
- The Builders looked to make a comeback to start the second half, getting within two, 41-39, with 14:02 left to play. Jordan Oates and Gary Briddell took over at that point, scoring the next 16 points for the Sea Gulls, to extend their lead to 10 points, 57-47, with just under six minutes left to go in regulation.
- The teams traded a few more baskets, but the Sea Gulls were able to keep the Builders at bay and take the home win.
SALISBURY GAME NOTES
- Jordan Oates nearly continued his streak of double-doubles, falling one rebound shy with a 21-point, nine-rebound performance. Oates was 8-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-8 from three.
- Gary Briddell scored 15 points and stole the ball a career-high seven times. Briddell also added three boards, three assists and a block.
- Johnny Fierstein matched his career-high steal total with five takeaways in the win. He also pulled down 10 rebounds, scored seven points and handed out seven assists.
- In his return to the court, Greg Bloodsworth tallied nine points with three assists.
- Brandon Craig led the bench effort with eight points and five rebounds.
- In his first game since the season opener, Jasiah Perry reeled in seven rebounds.
- As a team, Salisbury forced 19 Apprentice School turnovers with 16 steals.
APPRENTICE SCHOOL GAME NOTES
- Jayden Eason led the Builders in scoring, coming off the bench with 18 points.
- Karree Smith had a solid night, scoring 17 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
- The Builders only made one three-pointer (1-of-13) in the loss.
UP NEXT
- Salisbury will travel down to Virginia Beach, Va. on Wednesday, Dec. 8 to take on the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan.
- Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at TowneBank Arena.
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 the Metropolitan Swimming and Diving Conference for men's and women's swimming. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, and dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on-and-off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 22 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 186 conference championships and 41 Academic All-Americans.
To learn more about the tradition of excellence with Sea Gull Athletics, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or on social media @SUSeaGulls.