Box Score CHESTER, PA  – The Salisbury University men's basketball team edged Rowan University, 62-61 in the season opener on Friday night.  The Profs played in the first round of the Widener University Tip-Off for Autism Awareness.
 
The score was tied at 58 with 1:26 left in the game.  Guard Kris O'Connor (sr. Mount Laurel, NJ/Paul VI) hit the tying basket and was fouled.  He made the free throw and the Profs had a one-point advantage.  Guard Adrien Straughn (sr. New Carrollton, MD/Parkdale) had a basket at the 15 second mark and the Seagulls were up 60-59.  With six seconds on the clock. Rowan went ahead 61-60 after center Dan Brogan's (sr. Northvale, NJ/Northern Valley Old Tappan) layup.  Straughn was fouled with one second remaining.  He sank both free throws for the victory.
 
On Saturday, Rowan meets Washington College (MD) in the consolation game at 2 p.m. while Salisbury advances to the championship against Widener at 4 p.m.  In the opening round, Widener defeated Washington, 82-72.

Straughn ended the game with 15 points.  Guard Rocky Harris (sr. Chestertown, MD/Kent County) totaled 16 points and nine rebounds.  Forwards Jack Ferguson (fr. McLean, VA/McLean) and Chad Barcikowski (so. Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) added nine and eight points respectively.  Forward Gordon Jeter (jr. Easton, MD/Easton) grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Rowan had four players in double figures.  O'Connor produced a game-high 18 points and he had eight boards.  Forward Chris Gross (sr. Cranford, NJ/Roselle Catholic) followed with 14 points while guards Rob DePersia (fr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) and Nick DePersia (fr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Haddonfield Mem.) registered 10 points apiece.  Brogan and Gross each collected seven rebounds and Nick DePersia had six.
 
The score was tied at 26 going into the second half.  Gross hit a jumper (19:45) and O'Connor nailed a three and Rowan had a five-point lead (31-26).  Salisbury pulled within one (33-32) after Harris' three-pointer.  O'Connor and Nick DePersia followed with baskets, which put Rowan ahead 37-32. 
 
The Seagulls trailed 42-41 with 12:04 remaining.  Rowan scored five straight points and had a six-point advantage (47-41) at 9:44.  Brogan had two foul shots (11:29), guard Darryl Robinson (sr. Franklin, NJ/Franklin) made one point (45-41) at the line and Rob DePersia scored with a layup (47-41).  Salisbury came back and was down by one (47-46) with a layup (7:44) by Harris.  He later sank two free throws (6:28), which tied the score at 48. 

The Seagulls then had eight unanswered points to go ahead 56-48 (2:57).  Harris' jumper kept the lead at eight (58-50) at the 2:25 mark.  Nick DePersia (58:53) had a three (58-53) and Rob DePersia made a three-point play (1:37) before O'Connor tied the score at 58.