The Cabrini University men’s basketball team fell in a non-conference game against visiting Salisbury University Sea Gulls on Dec. 5, 2019 with a final score of 96-92 after overtime.
The Cabrini Cavaliers were looking to improve their overall record to 4-4 in Salisbury and Cabrini’s second matchup. Previously the Cavaliers defeated the Salisbury Sea Gulls on Nov. 24, 2013 with a score of 83-72.
Junior DJ Smith and freshman Jordan Brown both pitched in with 11 points each. Smith also posted five rebounds which helped keep the Cavaliers close against the Sea Gulls.
The Cavaliers were led by senior Keith Blassingale, scoring a total of 29 points. Blassingale also tallied eight rebounds and six assists, while also scoring all six free throw attempts during the game against Salisbury.
The Salisbury Sea Gulls started the game off strong, keeping a lead over the Cavaliers during the first five minutes of the first half, with 15:51 left in the half the Sea Gulls pulled ahead of the Cavaliers 13-5. However, the Salisbury Sea Gulls would not be able to keep this lead over the Cavaliers through the first half of the game. Blassingale was able to help catch the Cavaliers up to the Sea Gulls with six three point shots and a total of 20 points in the first half. Scoring 20 of the Cavaliers 39 points in the first half of the game. With 2:20 remaining in the first half, junior Justin Gans was able to score a layup which put the Cavaliers up 34-33. The Cavaliers were able to hold their lead over the Salisbury Sea Gulls through the rest of the half with a score of 39-35.
The Cavaliers started off the second half of play by increasing their lead over Salisbury with a layup from senior Jarren Abad, putting the Cavaliers up 41-35. The Salisbury Sea Gulls were able to even the score with three layups and two free throws, tying the game up at 43-43 with 17:33 remaining to play. The Sea Gulls then built up a 10 point lead over the Cavaliers. Making the score 53-43 with 12:53 remaining in the game. However, the Cavaliers would not allow the Sea Gulls to keep this lead, scoring 10 unanswered points with 9:40 remaining. The Cavaliers were able to hold over Salisbury for most of the remaining 10 minutes, but Salisbury was able to tie the game again with two free throws which brought the score at the end of the second half to 81-81.
Sophomore Voshon Mack helped keep the Cavaliers close during the second half, scoring 12 points during the half. Mack also scored a layup to put the score at 94-92 with 49 seconds left in overtime. Mack also posted a double double, tallying 16 rebounds during the game, as well as a total of 17 points and four blocks.
The Sea Gulls were able to pull ahead early in overtime, but the Cavaliers continued to keep the score close with Brown scoring five points against the Sea Gulls during the five minute overtime. The Cavaliers were unable to pull ahead of the Sea Gulls during the five minute overtime, ultimately falling to the Salisbury Sea Gulls 96-92.
Following the loss against the Salisbury Sea Gulls on Dec. 5, the Cabrini Cavaliers record changes to 3-5. The Cabrini men’s basketball team will next play on Dec. 18, 2019 against York College at 7p.m. in York, Pennsylvania.
