A 6-0 run to start the fourth period broke open a close game as Salem University fell to nationally 14th-ranked Division I George Washington University 21-10 in the finale of the Bucknell University Men's Water Polo Invitational Sunday at Lewisburg, Pa. Goalkeeper Julen Alonso recorded nine saves for the Tigers.
 
Salem opened the day with a 23-4 loss to No. 12 Harvard University.
 
Salem (5-7) trailed by as many as seven goals before Petar Leontijevic sparked a Tiger rally in the final three minutes of the third period. Leontijevic scored off a Michael Rojas assist, then assisted on Milos Popovic's goal with 1:38 remaining to pull Salem within 12-7.
 
Leontijevic made a steal and drew an exclusion to give Salem a power play opportunity with 39 seconds left in the period. But the Tigers were unable to convert and never got any closer. George Washington scored the first six goals of the fourth period to build the margin to double digits.
 
Milos Popovic led Salem with three goals, while Leontijevic, Rojas and Uros Jevtic each scored two goals. Leontijevic and Rojas added two assists apiece. Leontijevic also scored two goals in Sunday's opener against Harvard.
 
Salem begins conference play next weekend as the Tigers travel to Washington, Pa., for three Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference games. The Tigers face Mercyhurst University and Monmouth College (Ill.) Saturday, then take on Gannon University Sunday.