ST. MARY’S CITY — First-year guard Korey Blair poured in a career-best 21 points, but St. Mary’s College of Maryland could not overcome Salisbury University’s second-half dominance in paint scoring and rebounding as the Seahawks dropped a 77-66 non-conference decision Wednesday night at Michael P. O’Brien Athletics & Recreation Center Arena.
St. Mary’s College (3-4) led briefly in each half but saw Salisbury (4-6) seize control with a 9-2 run to open the second period and maintain a multi-possession cushion the rest of the way.
The Seahawks opened the game with a 3-0 lead on an old-fashioned three-point play by sophomore James Crimaudo at the 19:23 mark — the largest advantage either team would hold until late. After the score was tied 7-7, Salisbury used a 16-8 surge to go up 23-15 with 9:17 left in the first half.
Blair sparked a late first-half push with back-to-back three-pointers that gave St. Mary’s a 34-31 edge with 1:48 remaining, but the Sea Gulls closed the half on a 6-2 spurt to take a 37-36 lead into the break.
Salisbury dominated the interior after intermission, outrebounding the Seahawks 44-31 overall and 20-8 on the offensive glass. Those 20 offensive boards translated into 16 second-chance points, while the Sea Gulls held a commanding 44-24 edge in points in the paint.
St. Mary’s stayed within striking distance by converting 16 of 18 free throws (88.9 percent) but managed only nine field goals in the second half and shot 37.5 percent (21-of-56) for the game.
Blair, from Baltimore’s Overlea High School, went 7-of-14 from the floor with three triples and added career highs of four steals and two blocks. Crimaudo finished with 17 points on three treys, seven rebounds, and three assists. Senior captain Jake Koverman of Severna Park contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
Reserve Daniel Oyediran led Salisbury with 19 points.
The Seahawks return to action Thursday, Dec. 12, with a 7 p.m. non-conference road game at Goucher College (2-6) in Baltimore.
