SALISBURY, MD – The York College women's basketball team exploded for 41 second half points to post a 75-56 Capital Athletic Conference victory at Salisbury University on Saturday afternoon. The win snaps the Spartans' five-game losing skid and is their highest offensive output since the December 11 win over Frostburg.
York improves to 7-8 overall and 4-3 in the CAC while the Sea Gulls are now 5-10 overall and 3-4 in the conference.
Freshman forward Kristen Haley led the Spartans with a career-high 22 points as she was one of three York players to reach double figures.
The first half was a tightly played affair. The Spartans took a lead only to see the Sea Gulls come right back. The Green and White opened up an eight-point lead but Salisbury responded with 10-0 run to take a two point lead. The remainder of the stanza featured five lead changes and a pair of ties before the Spartans scored the final four points of the half to take a 34-31 lead to the intermission.
The Sea Gulls scored the first four points of the second half to take a 35-34 lead. The Spartans then fashioned a 19-8 run to seize a 53-43 lead. Freshman forward Brittany Hicks scored seven points on the run as the Spartans started to pull away from the their hosts.
After Salisbury cut the lead to eight, the Green and White went on a 22-4 run to put the game out of reach. The Spartan lead reached a game-high of 26 points when the Spartans led 75-49 with 1:39 remaining. Salisbury scored the final seven points of the game to provide for the Spartans' final 19-point margin of victory.
Overall, the Spartans outscored the Sea Gulls 41-25 in the second half.
Haley was highly efficient in reaching a new career-high as she was 9-for-15 from the floor including 3-for-3 from distance. She converted her lone free throw while she also had five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and four steals. Hicks was also very good for York as she had 12 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in her 28 minutes of action. Freshman Kelsey Murphy was the third Spartan in double figures with 11 points while she also contributed two rebounds, two assists, and two blocked shots. Murphy was 4-for-5 from the field including a perfect 3-for-3 from distance. Freshman point guard Aja Wallpher handed out six assists while she also had eight points, three steals, and three rebounds for York.
Nicole Sisco led the Sea Gulls with a double-double as she recorded 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Milan Dry was the other Gull in double figures with 11 points while she also had six boards. Glen Charlton contributed nine points and a game-high eight assists for the Gulls.
The Spartans shot 47.5% from the floor, their highest shooting percentage in the last six games. They converted a season-best 8-for-14 (57.1%) from three while they were a sharp 9-for-11 (81.8%) from the free throw line.
Salisbury shot 35.5% from the field, 22.2 (2-for-9) from three and just 50% (10-for-20) from the charity stripe.
The Spartans won the battle on the boards, outrebounding the Gulls 39-37. The Green and White also held a significant 34-18 advantage in points in the paint. York also took advantage of Salisbury turnovers as they converted 23 Sea Gull turnovers into 27 points including 21 in the second half.
The Spartans return to action on Wednesday evening when they travel to Stevenson University to face the Mustangs in a CAC contest. Tip time in Owings Mills is set for 6:00 pm.