The Salisbury boys basketball team posted a pair of needed wins over the past week when it defeated Palisades 54-26 and then traveled to Saucon Valley to beat the Panthers 43-38 in double overtime, giving a boost to the postseason odds for the Falcons (7-5 Colonial, 10-7 overall).

Against Palisades (1-11, 2-13), Tom Lovelidge led all scorers with 15 points, just ahead of teammate Jake Zellin, who scored 14 points for the Falcons. Salisbury commanded the game from the very start when they jumped out to a 16-2 lead after the first period and held their 14-point advantage at halftime.

Zellin, who had five points at halftime, scored nine in the third quarter, while Lovelidge scored six on two three-pointers as the Falcons opened a 44-19 lead. Salisbury hit eight three-pointers in the game with Lovelidge leading the way with three.

The trip to Saucon Valley (7-5, 9-6) was a bigger challenge for the Falcons and a needed win for playoff positioning, particularly in the Colonial League. The game teetered back-and-forth throughout the night with Saucon Valley holding a 9-6 edge at the end of one quarter and an 18-15 edge at halftime.

Salisbury’s defense stiffened in the fourth quarter and the Falcons’ offense did everything it needed to do to close a three-point gap. Lovelidge went 4-for-4 from the line, Brady Leiner hit one of two free throws and Drew Petrie hit a big three-pointer to tie the game 32-32 at the end of regulation.

The teams remained tied at 36 after the first overtime. In the second overtime session Leiner hit a three-pointer and the defense held the Panthers to just a single basket for the 43-38 win.

Six teams make the Colonial League playoffs and there are currently three teams – Salisbury, Saucon Valley, and Wilson – tied for fifth at 7-5 in league play. The Falcons have beaten the Panthers in both of their meetings this season and have also beaten Wilson in what is the only regular season game between the two teams.

In the district playoff scenario, Salisbury has five games remaining and needs just one more win to guarantee a .500 record and a spot in the district bracket.

Salisbury travels to Northern Lehigh (0-12, 2-15) before facing Catasauqua (5-7, 5-10) at home on Thursday.