FREDERICKSBURG, VA - The Owls made a return trip to the Coast-To-Coast Conference Tournament, this year for a match-up with tournament #3 seed, Salisbury Sea Gulls. Basketball is often described as a "game of runs" and Friday's match-up was a perfect example. Both teams had multiple double digit runs to sway the momentum and outcome of the game. The Sea Gulls had a 16-0 run in the first half and a 15-0 run in the second half. The Owls answered those respective runs with 15-3 and 9-0 outbursts of their own. In the end, the Sea Gulls' larger runs earned them the victory. 

From the outset it was clear the Owls goal was to neutralize Salisbury's 6'6 220 pound behemoth center, Jordan Oates. Oates, a C2C First Team All-Conference selection, finished the season averaging 27 points per game over his final two contests. The Owls defense limited Oates' impact throughout the game, holding him to 10 points--his lowest scoring output in eight games.

Dylan Wheatley, one of the Owls most potent scorers all season, keyed the Owls defensive effort with three first half steals. As the Owls defense kept the Sea Gulls off balance for large stretches of the half, the Owls offense sputtered. It wasn't until Daishaun Handy's consecutive threes that the Owls offense was finally able to find some traction in the first half. Still, despite playing even for most of the half, the early 16 point run from the Sea Gulls gave them a 19 point lead entering the half.

In the second half, the Owls and Sea Gulls continued to trade blows. A 15-3 run trimmed the Owls deficit to 60-49 with under 12 minutes left. Ultimately the Sea Gulls answered with a run of their own and the two teams played each other to a stalemate in the second half. 

Marcus Andrews' personal 8 point run was the highlight of the Owls 40 point half. Yoshi Kendrick's stellar passing allowed the Owls to score some easy baskets, while moments of individual brilliance from Antonio Banuelos, Nasir Cotton, and Jason Hines Jr. added to the Owls scoring.

In the end, one of the Salisbury's key role players was able to step up and save their season. With defensive attention on Oates, junior guard Kaiden Mines made a career-high seven threes--more than he made in the previous nine games combined. Mines was stellar throughout, consistently quelling Owls runs and keying the Sea Gulls response.

The loss ends eliminates them from the Conference Tournament and ends their season. In this transition year for the program, the Owls were able to lay some foundational building blocks for future success. With only one senior on this year's roster, the Owls will look to build towards deeper runs in the Conference Tournament in the years to come.