The University of Mary Washington men's basketball team used a balanced attack to defeat Salisbury University, 57-50, in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference semifinals on Saturday in snowy Santa Cruz, California. The Eagles improve to 19-7 on the season, and advance to Saturday's C2C Championship.

Both offenses sputtered in the first, but the Eagles gained the advantage after falling behind, 10-6, in the early going. Seven straight UMW points, including four from Zack Blue, gave UMW a 13-10 lead with 9:11 remaining in the first. A pair of Da'Shawn Cook baskets lifted the Eagle lead to 19-15, and a Blue layup and two Cook free throws gave UMW a 23-16 halftime advantage.

In the second, both offenses awoke. After a Cook basket to open the second, the teams traded three pointers, with Greg Rowson hitting his first of the day for the Eagles. Salisbury cut the margin to 28-26, but a Rowson three point play with 15:21 left gave UMW a five point lead. Salisbury again cut the margin back to one, at 33-32, but Andrew Rowson scored consecutive baskets to help UMW stay in front. 

Salisbury gained the lead at 40-39 with 9:12 left, and the score stood tied at 46-46 with 4:28 to play. Six straight Eagle points, including four from senior Cameron McCravy, built a six-point cushion with 1:05 left. Salisbury cut the deficit to two in the final minute, but a basket from Blue and free throws from Cook and Andrew Rowson put the game away.

Greg Rowson led UMW with 13 points, and Cook and Andrew Rowson each scored 10. Greg Rowson and Blue led with seven rebounds each.

Mary Washington shot 45.7% from the field (21-46), making 1-11 three point shots and 14-23 free throws. Salisbury shot 36.2% (17-47), making 6-22 three pointers and 10-11 free throws. 

The Eagles will face Christopher Newport on Saturday in the C2C Championship, starting at 2:30 p.m. in Santa Cruz.