GREENSBURG - The Seton Hill University men's basketball team overcame a seven-point first-half deficit by utilizing a solid defensive effort in the second half to defeat Salem University, 90-81, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at the McKenna Center.

After the Fighting Tiger's shot an impressive 51.2 percent in the first half, the Seton Hill (9-17 overall) defense held Salem (6-17 overall) to just 41 percent from the floor in the second frame while outscoring the visitors 52-36 in the final 20 minutes. 

SHU's Trevor Blondin tied a career-high with 32 points to lead the Griffins. Nathan Davis chipped in 19 points. Trevor Lecuona had 10 points, and Spencer Casson came close to a triple-double with seven points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. 

Salem was balanced offensively with six players - Reggie Oliver, Malik Toppin, Marko Tutunovic, Brett Bowling, Darren Montgomery, and Ignacio Rodriguez - scoring in double-figures. Malik Toppin grabbed 13 rebounds for the Fighting Tigers.

After falling behind by as many as 10 points in the first half and seven (45-38) by halftime, the Griffins opened the second half with a 6-0 to pull to within one (45-44) by the 18:08 mark behind a scores by Lecuona and Blondin. Salem responded with a bucket by Toppin, but layups by Blondin and Davis gave Seton Hill their first lead since mid-way through the first half, 48-41. Both teams then hit a cold spurt on the offensive end, but the Tigers would regain the lead and push it out to five, 55-50, by the 13:23 mark. However, a layup by Blondin sparked a 9-2 run that gave Seton Hill a 59-57 lead with 10:46 remaining. Milenko Predic had four points in the run. Seton Hill would outscore Salem, 31-24, the rest of the way for the 90-81 victory.

The Griffins will take on California (PA) on Wednesday at 7:30 before closing out the season with a home game against Indiana (PA) on Saturday.