Missed FT Short-Circuits Comeback by Gophers

Perry Caps 24-Point Effort with Two 3-Pt. FG in Final :14

WESTMINSTER, Md. — Goucher knocked what had been as much as a 16-point deficit in the second half down to a single point tonight and was a free throw away from tying the score against Salisbury with 2.1 seconds remaining in the opening round of the 2009 Pride of Maryland Championship presented by M&T Bank.

But the free throw, which was awarded to the Gophers because Micah Perry (Silver Spring, Md./Springbrook) was fouled while draining a crucial three-point basket, wouldn't drop and Salisbury's one-point lead was still intact. A free throw by Mike Maczko just before the final horn put the finishing touches on a 65-63 victory for the Sea Gulls (1-0).

The Gophers (0-1), who can still finish as high as fifth place in the annual Division III state basketball tournament, will take on McDaniel in the consolation semifinals on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. The Green Terror were beaten tonight in the opening round by St. Mary's (Md.), 83-56.

The Sea Gulls assumed their biggest lead of tonight's contest by reeling off the first 12 points of the second half to open up a 38-22 advantage. The Gophers didn't score their first points of the period until Perry landed a shot from behind the three-point stripe with 16:10 left to play.

For the next 13:51, Salisbury's lead fluctuated between six and 15 points, but with 2:19 showing on the clock, Steve Musenga (Germantown, Md./Good Counsel) converted a pair of free throws to bring head coach Leonard Trevino's squad to within 57-52. The Gophers could get no closer until Perry connected from three-point range with just :14 left to play to make the score 62-60.

Greg Palmer restored the Sea Gulls' lead to four points by making two free throws with :10 remaining. Next trip down the court, the Gophers nearly got the rare four-point play.

Perry erupted for 21 points over the final 20:00 and finished with a game-high 24 points for the Gophers. He was 10-for-15 from the field, including 3-for-6 on three-point attempts.

The only other double-digit scorer for Goucher was Kyle Gladden (Baltimore, Md./Landsdowne) who furnished the Gophers with 13 points.

Salisbury's leading scorer was Greg Palmer with 15 points and Maczkowas credited with a game-high 13 rebounds.