NEWPORT, R.I. (Wednesday, November 15, 2023) -- Salve Regina University women's basketball was four points better than UMass Dartmouth in each of the first two quarters, but the Corsairs exploded for 32 points in the third to defeat the Seahawks, 84-64, in non-league action at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Wednesday night.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UMass Dartmouth 84, Salve Regina 64
Records: Salve Regina (1-2, 0-0 NEWMAC), UMass Dartmouth (2-0, 0-0 LEC)
All-Time Series: UMass Dartmouth avenges a loss at home last season and improves to 19-6 in the all-time series with Salve Regina. The Corsairs have won eight of the last nine meetings after the Seahawks enjoyed a four-game win streak from 2002 through 2010.

SUMMARY:

• 1Q -  Briana Neary converted a layup and free throw for the first points of the game. Ashley Rourke followed with a driving layup before Neary made it a 7-0 score. The Seahawks led the entire period and a free throw from Morgan Shuey accounted for the final point. | Seahawks 17, Corsairs 13
• 2Q -  3-pointers from Melanie Demeo and Tyah Pettaway tied and put the Corsairs ahead by three (26-23) before the Seahawks went on a 13-0 run with Briana Neary's layup capping the run for a 10-point lead (36-26). Teja Andrews finished the scoring with a fastbreak layup after a Seahawk turnover. | Seahawks 36, Corsairs 28
• 3Q -  Jaelyn Lavigne and Briana Neary exchanged jump shots to start the second-half scoring before the Corsairs took the lead on a 9-0 run. Amaris Mills made two free throws at 4:44 to tie and then take the lead for good (43-42). UMass Dartmouth scored 32 in the period after having just 28 points in the first 20 minutes. The Corsairs took advantage of 11 Seahawk turnovers and converted them into 20 points. | Corsairs 60, Seahawks 44
• 4Q -  A 3-pointer from Briana Neary at 3:29 brought the Seahawks within 13 (73-60) but that's as close as they would get. Carly Whiteside led all players with 13 points on 6-for-6 from the floor, all in the paint. Salve Regina cut its turnovers to just three while UMass Darmouth lost the ball eight times. | Corsairs 84, Seahawks 64

NOTEWORTHY:

• Salve Regina won the battle of the boards (37 to 33) led by Sofia Neary who had a double-double with 10 rebounds and 17 points.
• Briana Neary led the Seahawks with 20 points on 7-of-9 from the floor including 2-for-2 from long range.
• Amanda Folan (13) and Ashley Rourke (11) joined the Nearys in double figure scoring.
• Rourke dished out four assists.

QUOTING COACH HUGHES

"We did not take care of the ball," said Salve Regina head coach Cori Hughes. "Too many turnovers, mostly unforced, led to transition baskets for them. We have to value the ball and maintain possession."

ON THE HORIZON:
Salve Regina visits Springfield, Massachusetts, for two games in the WNE Women's Basketball Tip-Off tournament this weekend - Friday versus Vassar College (8 p.m.) and Saturday versus Western New England or Keystone (TBD).