Men's Basketball | 12/5/2009 7:00:04 PM

SALISBURY, Md. - The Methodist University men's basketball team played in its first game of the Optimist Classic against Salisbury University on Saturday afternoon, coming away with a 87-75 loss to the Sea Gulls. The Monarchs move to the consoluation game of the Classic, which will be played tomorrow at 2 p.m.

 

Salisbury (2-3) fell behind early in the game as Methodist (0-7) scored the first two baskets; undeterred, the Sea Gulls fought back with a series of three-pointers to take a lead over the Monarchs. The first half was fast-paced and remained tight as both teams battled for possession. Methodist began to pull ahead, but Salisbury answered back by scoring eight points in a span of three minutes to give the Sea Gulls a four-point lead. The remainder of the half belonged to Salisbury, as the maroon and gold scored a barrage of baskets to take a 42-33 lead at halftime.

The Sea Gulls took control in the second half, going on a 16-1 scoring run. Salisbury finished with the 87-75 victory.

Four Methodist players finished in double figures paced by senior Eric Thomas with 16 points. Sophomore Mark Jernigan scored 15 points and senior Tyler Sigman scored 14 points while sophomore Tanner Carnes added 10.

The first game of the Classic, a match-up between Hampden-Sydney College (4-1) and Ramapo College (4-2), resulted in an 87-78 Hampden-Sydney victory. The consolation game between Ramapo and Methodist will be played at 2 p.m. tomorrow, followed by the championship match-up between Salisbury and Hampden-Sydney.

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