SALISBURY, MD — Notre Dame of Maryland opened its season with the kind of grit, tempo, and offensive rhythm that sets the tone for an entire year. In a back-and-forth battle at the Governors Challenge, the Gators weathered momentum swings, responded to every run, and closed with authority to take down Salisbury University, 83–79. The victory comes just one year after NDM lost to Salisbury twice during the 2024-25 season

From the start, Notre Dame played with pace and confidence. Anthony Wright set the tone, slicing into the lane for early buckets and finishing nearly everything he touched. By night's end, he'd delivered a masterful 20-point performance on 8-of-9 shooting, a model of efficiency in a fast-moving game.

The first half unfolded like a tug-of-war with ten ties, four lead changes, and neither side willing to budge. But the Gators' perimeter pressure gradually began to wear on Salisbury. Ricardo Ross picked pockets and turned steals into quick scores, while the ball movement created clean looks on the perimeter. A late push sent Notre Dame into the break with a 37–31 lead, and the energy felt like it was shifting their way. 

Salisbury, however, refused to go quietly. The Sea Gulls opened the second half on a surge, hitting from deep and pounding the offensive glass until they'd built an 11-point advantage. But Notre Dame never blinked. Instead, the Gators found another gear.

Marlon Lewis gave the comeback a jump start with an old fashioned three-point play that cut the deficit to five with six minutes left. Wright was able to steal the ball away on the next possession and make a fast break layup followed by a Ross pull-up jumper to make it a 7-0 run for the Gators. Chandler Johnson knocked down a corner three-pointer that gave NDM their first lead of the second half with three minutes left. 

Lewis was able to steal away a bad pass by the Seahawks and slammed down a dunk on the fast break to increase the Gator lead to five. Lewis and Ross were able to hit their free throws and a Jackson Pugh offensive rebound and put back proved to be the dagger that ensured a Gator victory.

When it ended, the stat sheet told the story of a complete team performance, 52.7% shooting, 20-of-24 from the free throw line, 36 points in the paint, 30 bench points, and 22 forced turnovers. Ross finished with 16 points and four steals while Lewis had 12 points and three steals. Pugh added 10 points along with a team high five rebounds and five assists.

Notre Dame returns to the floor on Saturday, November 22 to close out the Governors Challenge invitational when they take on Gettysburg at 7 PM. This will be the first game ever played between the two programs.