RADNOR, PA – The Cavaliers erased a 10 point second half deficit and had two shots to win in the final seconds of regulation, but overtime was not kind to the Blue and White, as the Cabrini men's basketball team suffered a 96-92 loss to Salisbury tonight at Nerney Field House.

The Sea Gulls (4-6) scored the first four points in the extra period, taking an 85-81 lead before a triple by junior DJ Smith pulled the Cavaliers (3-5) to within one. The visitors responded with a three of their own and extended their cushion to 89-84 with a Devin Garrett free throw.

Freshman Jordan Brown kept the Cavaliers close, as the rookie tallied five of his season-high 11 points in overtime. His final bucket, a driving lay-up pulled Cabrini to within 92-90 with just 63 seconds on the clock.

Both teams exchanged buckets on their next possessions, but a defensive stop with 30 seconds to play gave the Blue and White a chance to tie the game.

Unfortunately for the Blue and White, the Sea Gulls made a defensive stand of their own, blocking Cabrini's attempt at a game-tying bucket before sealing the game with a pair of late free throws.

Senior Keith Blassingale led the Cavaliers 29 points, including 20 in the first half, eight rebounds and six assists. Sophomore Voshon Mack added his fifth double-double in seven games, pairing 17 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and four blocked shots. Smith matched Brown with 11 points.

Cabrini got off to a slow start, as head coach Tim McDonald need a pair of early timeouts to refocus his club. The Sea Gulls took advantage, building an eight point cushion just over four minutes into the game.

The Blue and White responded with a 12-2 run, as Blassingale hit Malik Bailey to give Cabrini a 20-17 lead at the 12:09 mark.

The Sea Gulls regained their footing, reestablishing its eight point lead after senor Lucas Martin's three with 8:02 left in the stanza. Back to back dunks by senior Jarren Abad and Blassingale sparked a late Cabrini run, as the Cavaliers closed the first half on a 13-2 run, carrying a 39-35 lead into the halftime break.

Salisbury turned the tables in the opening minutes of the second half, regaining control of the action with a 14-0 second half spurt. After leading by six in the early minutes of the stanza, the Cavaliers found themselves trailing 53-43 after a three by Salisbury junior Bryan Boehlert.

Cabrini made its second half run over the next 8:40, embarking on an 18-4 run to regain a 96-55 advantage on Blassingale's three pointer at the 8:13 mark. Much like the Blue and White did not go away when trailing by 10, the Sea Gulls would not fly south, as Cabrini fought to maintain a slim lead over the several minutes.

A pair of Lucas free throws and a deep three from the senior pulled Salisbury even at 76 and 79 before a steal and two free throws by junior Mike Ward gave the Sea Gulls an 81-79 lead with just 62 ticks on the clock.

Blassingale found Mack for a tough lay-in on Cabrini's next possession to lock the score at 81 in the final minute of regulation.

After a Salisbury timeout, the Cavaliers got an important defensive stop, as Smith's defensive board gave the Cavaliers an opportunity for a game-winning shot attempt.

Following a Cabrini timeout, the Blue and White created two shots in the final seven seconds of regulation, but neither found the mark, sending the game to overtime.   

While both teams shot just north of .400 from the floor, the Sea Gulls controlled the glass, outrebounding Cabrini 55-47, including 19 offensive rebounds, which the visitors converted into 20 second chance points.

Ward led the Sea Gulls with 30 points, while Martin finished the night with 25 points. Both corralled 11 rebounds and blocked three shots.

The Cavaliers will have to stew on this loss for a while, as they will not return to action until the travel to York College (6-2) on Dec. 18. Game time is set for 7pm.