NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University women's basketball held its opponent to a season-low 22.2 field goal percentage and kept its opponent under 50 points for the fifth time this season as the Seahawks defeated New England College, 62-48, in The Commonwealth Coast Conference action today in Newport.

Junior forward Erin Phillips [Morristown, N.J.] scored 12 of her team-high 18 points in the first half. Even though the Seahawks held the Pilgrims to 28 percent shooting, New England College was only five points away at the break (30-25). Sophomore forward Rachel Williams [Chapel Hill, N.C.] and freshman guard Christina Bagnera [Revere, Mass.] kept the visitors within striking distance by combining for 21 of the team's 25 first-half points.

Bagnera came off the bench to provide 10 points, but the Seahawks shut her out in the second half. A layup by Salve Regina point guard Kaitlyn Birrell [Hope, R.I.] finished a 21-9 run for the home team which enjoyed its largest lead of the game with 8:09 remaining (51-34). Williams did most of her work at the charity stripe, making 12-of-14 free throws to finish with 22 points. She also pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds to help New England College win the battle of the boards (54-to-38).

Seahawk tri-captain Olivia Browning [Trumbull, Conn.] collected 10 caroms. Last season's rookie of the year in the conference, Lindsay Shorey [Ashland, Mass.], contributed a dozen points.

Salve Regina (11-7; 6-1 TCCC) has won 20 straight meetings with New England College (8-11; 1-6). The Seahawks host intra-state rival Roger Williams University in a doubleheader on Wednesday; the Pilgrims return to the hardwood that night at Milton, Mass., in the new Curry College gymnasium.