SALISBURY, Md.- The Stevenson women's basketball team forced 21 turnovers, but they could not convert as they fell to former Capital Athletic Conference rival Salisbury, 63-55, on Tuesday at Magga Physical Activities Center.

The teams each totaled seven turnovers in the opening period, but the Mustangs struggled to convert as Salisbury (3-1) jumped out to a 10-0 lead. A layup from senior Sara Tarbert got the Mustangs on the board midway through the period, but the Sea Gulls continued their momentum.  Salisbury totaled 10 points off of turnovers while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor, while Stevenson (1-1) converted on only one turnover for two points, while shooting 20 percent.

Trailing 16-6 to start the second quarter, three straight buckets from junior Kaitlyn VanTash and another layup from Tarbert cut the Mustangs deficit to 16-14.  After Salisbury was forced to call a timeout, Lauren Rothfeld connected on a shot that sparked another Sea Gull run.  The Sea Gulls hit their next six shots and stretched their lead to 27-18 with 2:41 remaining in the first half.  The Sea Gulls took a 29-22 lead into the locker room.

Tarbert totaled 14 points and VanTash added eight in the second half as the Mustangs chipped away at the Salisbury lead.  After trailing 32-22 early in the second half, Stevenson got within four, 43-39, with just over a minute to go and trailed 45-41 after three.  

Stevenson took a 48-47 lead with 7:10 to go on a layup by freshman Hannah Crist, but six straight Salisbury points gave the hosts a 55-50 lead with just under five minutes left.  A Crist three with 4:36 left made it 55-53, but the Mustangs got no closer as the Sea Gulls sealed the win by going 5-8 at the free throw line in the final minute.

The Mustangs finished shooting 40.3 percent from the floor, while Salisbury shot 44.8 percent. Salisbury also edged Stevenson in points off of turnovers, 24-14.  

Tarbert recorded her second double-double of the year as she finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals.  VanTash added 14 points, and sophomore Jonyae Curry totaled a career-high seven steals.

Stevenson returns to action this Saturday when they host FDU-Florham in their 2016-17 home opener beginning at 4:00 p.m.  Fans bringing a non-perishable food item to benefit the Maryland Food Bank will receive free admission.