The first two weeks of the summer postseason did not go the way the Salisbury boys basketball team had hoped. But teams are judged by the way they finish, not the way they start.

The Falcons ended their summer-league basketball campaign at the top, taking down Lincoln Leadership in the Stellar Summer League Small School Division championship game.

Senior Blake Jones tallied a game-high 33 points, and junior Jack Reichenbach had a clutch layup at the end, adding 22 points for second-seeded Salisbury in the victory over the number one seed Lions.

After underwhelming play in the Stellar and SportsFest tournaments prior to the summer league playoffs, the Falcons put that behind them, and got back to the winning ways that head coach Jason Weaver has instilled in the program.

“Stellar and SportsFest did not go as we wanted them to,” Reichenbach said. “We struggled mainly because we didn’t play as a team, but as individuals, which coach preaches to us after most losses.

“This game we all played together and different people contributed. It was huge for us to win this one and gave us a lot of confidence going into the winter season.”

The first half was a tale of three runs. Lincoln Leadership jumped out to a 12-5 lead to open up the game. After a Salisbury timeout, the Falcons went on a 23-9 run, which included four 3-pointers by Jones.

After the run, Salisbury led the Lions 28-21. Lincoln responded with a 17-6 spurt, thanks in large part to Ramfis Rodriguez’s 19 first-half points. The Lions ended the half leading 38-34.

“They had some good rebounders and some pretty good shooters,” said Reichenbach. “They made some runs and we did the same. We are pretty evenly matched teams, but we came out on top when it mattered.”

In the second half, the Lions jumped out on Salisbury and held a 54-42 at one point.

The Falcons battled back, with another run, eventually taking a 61-59 lead on a Jones 3-pointer. Ramirez tied the game on a lay-up with 1:30 left in the half, and the game went into overtime tied 62-62.

It was back-and-forth for the first two or three minutes of the extra period. But then two key Lincoln turnovers and a Ryan Slutsky basket gave Salisbury a 69-66 lead. Keshawn Kellman brought the Lions to within a point with a basket on the ensuing possession.

After two Jones free throws, Salisbury led 71-68. Rodriguez then hit a three to tie the game, but Reichenbach was in the right place at the right time and finished off the game with a layup assisted by Jones with two seconds left to give the Falcons the 73-71 victory.

“After they made the 3-pointer, I had no idea how much time was left,” Reichenbach said. “But I saw Blake pushing the ball up the court, and I thought he was going to shoot. So I thought maybe I could get the rebound, but then he made a great pass and I was right at the rim when I caught it. I made it, and the whistle blew to end the game. It was not drawn up at all. Blake and I have good chemistry on the court and it showed there.”