The Spartans started quickly for the second consecutive game as York led 15-3 less than seven minutes into the game. The Spartans eventually pushed the lead to as many as 13 on two different occasions with the last one coming at 32-19 with 6:22 remaining in the first half. The Sea Gulls regrouped and scored 14 of the final 20 points of the half to draw to within five, 38-33, at the half. The halftime lead is a good sign for the Spartans as they are now 7-0 when leading at the half.
The second half seemed to be a carry over from the end of the first. York was able to keep their lead between two and six points until Salisbury went on a 7-0 spurt, capped with a Sean Rozanski trey, to take a 47-46 lead with 12:42 left in regulation. The Spartans responded with an 8-0 run that gave the Spartans a 54-47 edge midway through the second half. The Gulls would again chip away at the Spartan lead until they took a 58-56 lead on a Derrick Washington triple with 5:37 showing on the clock. Junior Brandon Bushey tied the game at 58 on a pair of free throws. Rozanski split a pair of free throws to give the Sea Gulls a 59-58 lead. Junior Kenny Fass hit a tough lay up in the paint to give the Spartans a 60-59 lead. It was a lead the Spartans would not relinquish the rest of the way. That Fass lay up started the Spartans on a game-ending 17-5 run. The Spartans nailed all eight of their free throw attempts in the last 2:19 of the game to sew up the win.
York was led by Bushey as the guard recorded 19 points, grabbed five rebounds, and handed out two assists. Bushey was 6-for-11 from the floor including 3-for-5 from three. He also converted all four of his free throw attempts. Junior Brian Singer (York, PA/Eastern York) added big double-double as he scored 12 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Singer also dished out a career-high four assists and earned two blocks for the game. Freshman Chad McGowan was the third Spartan in double figures with 16 points. McGowan also chipped in with six rebounds and two blocked shots. Junior Paddy Lee pulled down 11 rebounds while he also had four points, three assists, and three blocked shots.
The Sea Gulls were paced by Rozanski as he poured in a game-high 23 points. Rozanski was 9-for-14 from the floor, 2-for-2 from beyond the arc and 3-for-5 from the charity stripe. Rozanski added six rebounds and three assists. Rico Stewart added 17 points, three rebounds, and three steals for the Gulls while Washington was the third Gull in double figures with 11 points.
The game was extremely physical as the teams combined for 50 fouls (25 each) and 52 free throw attempts. The Spartans made 87% (20-23) of their attempts from the line while Salisbury was 20-for-29 (69.0%) from the charity stripe.
The Spartans finished the game shooting 49.1% from the floor but just 30.0% from three. Salisbury converted just 33.9% of their attempts from the flooring including 30.8% from downtown. York held a commanding 46-28 edge on the glass.
The Spartans close out the 2004 portion of their schedule with a home non-conference contest against Juniata College on Monday evening. The contest will be broadcast in the York area on ESPN 1350 WOYK. The broadcast begins with the pregame at 7:00 pm followed by the opening tap at 7:30 pm.