HENNIKER, N.H. - Salve Regina University's Windell Hinkson (Groton, Conn.) finished with a game-high 22 points leading the visiting Seahawks past the New England College Pilgrims 81-67 Saturday afternoon.

With the win the Seahawks improve to 10-8 overall and 4-3 in TCCC play.  The loss drops the Pilgrims to 15-4 on the season and 4-3 in the TCCC.

Salve Regina opened the game scoring the first eight points but NEC responded using and eight point run to knot the game at 8-8 just four minutes into the half.  The two teams battled back-and-forth through the majority of the first, which saw eight ties and four lead changes.  The Seahawks grabbed the lead late closing out the half outscoring NEC 8-2 to head into halftime with the 41-35 lead.

NEC chipped away at the Salve Regina lead cutting it to just two points midway through the half and then grab their first lead since late in the first thanks to a Joe Faragher layup at the 7:07 mark.  The Seahawk offense responded using a 10-0 run rebuilding their lead up 74-62 with just 1:49 remaining in regulation.  Salve Regina solidified the victory as Seahawk shooters finished the second half a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line in the final minute.

Salve Regina's Ryan Birell (Hope, R.I.) was an impressive 7-for-10 from the field finishing with 19 points, while William Smiley (Saunderstown, R.I.) was the only other Seahawk in double-figures finishing with 15 points.  Leading the way on the boards was Jeff Bielefeld (Littleton, Mass.) who grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds. 

Leading the way for NEC was Shane Hennessey (Plymouth, England) who finished with a double-double scoring 10 points and grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds.  NEC's Jason Minerve (Narre Warren, Australia) led all pilgrim scorers with 12 points and Joe Faragher (North Ridgeville, Ohio) chipped in 10 points.

NEC returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 2 when they host conference opponent Curry College.  Salve Regina will hit the court on Wednesday as well traveling to take on conference foe Roger Williams University.

Courtesy of Renee Hellert, New England College sports information