NEWPORT, R.I. -- Salve Regina University women's basketball junior
Sofia Neary led all players with 19 points and 17 rebounds while older sister Briana contributed her own double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds as the Seahawks shook off a slow start to claw back a 74-61 victory over visiting Suffolk University in non-league action at the Rodgers Recreation Center in Newport, Rhode Island.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 74, Suffolk 61
Records: Salve Regina (3-3, 0-0 NEWMAC), Suffolk (5-2, 0-0 CNE)
History: These programs meet for the 16th time in women's basketball since the series began in 1985. With their 97-93 win last year in Boston, the Rams took an 8-7 edge in the all-time series.
Ashley Rourke led all scorers with 21 points in the Seahawks' loss to the Rams. Salve Regina swept Suffolk (62-42 at home; 70-66 on the road) in its last season as fellow members of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (now known as the Conference of New England).
SUMMARY
- 1Q | All five starters and a Ram off the bench scored for Suffolk in the opening quarter as they scored eight points in the paint and nine more from behind the arc (3-for-7). Ashley Rourke led the Seahawks with five points on 2-for-4 from the floor with a 3-pointer. | Rams 20, Seahawks 14
- 2Q | Both teams produced 13 points in the period with Suffolk getting one more field goal (5-4) including three from distance. The Seahawks added five free throws to their four field goals, all two-pointers. Briana Neary led all players with five points in the second quarter. | Rams 33, Sehawks 27
- 3Q | Marissa Forino was fouled well beyond the arc with 0.3 seconds on the clock and made all three free throws to put Salve Regina ahead going into the final quarter. Amanda Folan's 3-pointer at 7:04 gave the Seahawks their first lead during a 12-0 run for Salve Regina. There were seven lead changes in the period. Sofia Neary led all players with six points. Neary and Amanda DeAngelis both had six rebounds. | Seahawks 46, Rams 45
- 4Q | Colby Guinta opened the scoring with a layup and Ashley Rourke responded with a 3-pointer. The teams were deadlocked at 49-49 for nearly two minutes before Briana Neary put back an offensive rebound to start a 6-0 run. Amanda Folan's pull up jumper on a fast break capped the run. Folan's 3-pointer at 3:30 gave Salve Regina its first double-digit lead (63-53). Olivia Martin had a fast break layup to maintain the 10-point cushion under a minute. | Seahawks 74, Rams 61
NOTEWORTHY
- Sophia Neary scored a season-high 19 points and equaled her season-best with 17 rebounds (also against Roger Williams on November 16).
- Briana Neary had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Suffolk made 12-of-14 free throws (85.7%).
- Amanda DeAngelis went 6-for-6 from the line while finishing with 17 points; she led all players with 18 rebounds.
- Ashley Rourke also finished in double figures for the Seahawks with 13 points including three 3-pointers.
- Six different Seahawks collected a pair of assists -- Briana Neary, Ashley Rourke, Hope Halvarson, Amanda Folan, Olivia Martin.
- Hope Halvarson led all players with four steals.
QUOTABLE SEAHAWKS
ON THE HORIZON
Salve Regina meets the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors on Saturday, November 30, in Willimantic, Connecticut.
