Quick start and defense the right mix for win No. 6
SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University women's basketball team came out of the gates on fire against Widener University, in a non-conference game Friday night at the Maggs Center, but had to rely on its defense to hold off the Pioneers down the stretch to win 66-62.

The Sea Gulls (6-1) have won six straight since it dropped the first game of the season. Salisbury started last season 6-0.

Salisbury junior Meghan Phillips led the way with a game-high 22 points and teammate Jessica Mills (17 points) also reached double figures with her 11-point second half burst. Freshman Kylie Hall was a force on the boards as she grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Sea Gulls.

Widener (3-5) dropped its fifth straight game after the Pioneers won the first three games of the season. Four Pioneers scored in double figures with guard Beth Dessart Mager leading the way with 16 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Megan Sipple scored 13 second half points after she was held scoreless in the first. Junior Stephanie Bixby (11 points, 10 rebounds) recorded the only double-double.

Salisbury led 13-0 just five minutes into the game. Widener cut the lead to six but the Sea Gulls increased the lead back to double digits as they led 35-25 at the half.

In the second half, the Pioneers were able to pull to within two, on six different occasions, but couldn't tie or take the lead away from the Sea Gulls.

Neither team shot extremely well from the field (WU 36 percent, SU 30 percent) but Salisbury took advantage of the 24 Widener turnovers. The Sea Gulls only committed 13 turnovers while they made 15 steals as a team. The Pioneers out rebounded the Sea Gulls, 52-47.

The Sea Gulls don’t have time to savor the win as they will turnaround and travel to Washington, D.C., tomorrow (2 p.m., Saturday, December 9) to face Gallaudet University in a Capital Athletic Conference game. Salisbury is 2-0 in the CAC.