SALISBURY, Md. – Stevenson women's basketball established an early lead, but could not maintain it against the Salisbury University Seagulls on Wednesday afternoon. The final score was 73-51 in favor of Salisbury.
 
The Mustangs kept the Seagulls at bay, not allowing them to score until 5:54 remaining in the first quarter. SU junior forward Stephenae Lawrence, sophomore guard Erin Dixon, and sophomore forward Tessa Boswell all managed early opportunities, getting the Mustangs at nine points. Despite three opportunities from the Seagulls, Dixon and first-year guard Amoni Taylor brought the team to a five-point lead to conclude the opening quarter.
 
In spite of early scoring from Boswell and Dixon and an effort from Korai Bowen at 4:38 remaining in the second quarter, the Seagulls caught up, surpassing the Mustangs at 23-22 with 3:43 remaining. First-year guard Elia Richardson saw the last scoring chance for the Mustangs as halftime approached with the score at 32-24 with the Seagulls ahead.
 
Managing 20 points in the third, the Mustangs attempted to find their pace, adding a three- pointer less than a minute in from junior guard Emori Jeselskis and a jumper from sophomore forward Destiny Towns less than a minute later. A free throw series from sophomore forward Aliyah Jean-Jacques brought the Mustangs to 30 points at 6:10 on the clock. Bowen and Richardson followed to close the gap. With 3:43 left, Jaidyn Harris managed to tie it up at 42-42. Richardson saw one last chance in the third with 12 seconds remaining, ending the third still short, 49-44.
 
Two minutes into play in the final quarter, Jeselskis made it a 10-point game before a Stevenson timeout. Two more scoring opportunities followed, but the Seagulls' lead continued to climb as the final quarter ended. Jean-Jacques made a layup followed by sophomore forward Sanaa Thorne adding two points off a jumper to bring the Mustangs past 50 points. The final score was 73-51.
 
Richardson led the Mustangs in points, scoring 12 and adding two rebounds and a steal. Dixon had an all-around game, adding eight points, three rebounds and three steals, while Boswell followed with seven points, three rebounds, and two assists.
 
The Mustangs return home as they take on the King's College Monarchs after the holiday on Friday, Dec. 29 for a 4 p.m. game.