SALISBURY, Md. - Salisbury made 26-of-31 free throws, hitting 17-of-23 in the second half as the Sea Gulls posted a 73-61 victory in the opening round of the 2011 Pride of Maryland Championship and the debut of first-year head coach Gary Stewart Tuesday at the Maggs Physical Activities Center.

The Mustangs (0-1) were led by 14 points and nine rebounds from senior Greg Collins (Baltimore/Western Tech) who made his first appearance since Jan. 11, 2010.

Junior transfer Brandon Carroll (Randallstown/Archbishop Curley) and last season's leading scorer, junior Brett Burrier (Westminster/Winters Mill) each had 11 points while sophomore Stefon McCray (Milton, Fla./Archbishop Curley) had eight points and eight rebounds.

Stevenson shot 46.5 percent from the floor, including 56.5 percent in the first half, but were just 3-of-16 from three-point range and 6-of-16 from the free throw line. Salisbury also held a 29-10 advantage in bench points.

The Mustangs led 22-16 with 7:37 to play in the first half, but back-to-back three-pointers by the Sea Gulls' Dylan Robeson in the final minute broke a 30-30 tie and gave Salisbury a six-point halftime lead.

Stevenson trailed 45-37 with 16:30 remaining in the second half, but an 8-0 run, keyed by four points from Burrier tied the game for the fifth time at 45-45 with 12:40 left.

The Sea Gulls pushed their lead to 11 with just over five minutes to play before a 6-0 run pulled the Mustangs within five with 2:19 remaining.

However, Salisbury scored 10 of its final 12 points from the free throw line where they were 10-for-11 in picking up the first career win for new head coach Josh Merkel.

Mike Maczko had 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Sea Gulls while Trent Epps added 12 points and Elijah Gore had 11.

Stevenson will play local rival McDaniel in the consolation bracket on Friday at Goucher's Decker Sports and Recreation Center. Game time is at 6:00 p.m. For information on the 2011 Pride of Maryland Championship, click here.