BOSTON, Mass. -- After building a four-point lead through three quarters, Emerson College women's basketball outscored Salve Regina University, 17-10, in the final period to finish with a 73-62 victory in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both teams.

Bri Frongillo (Hopedale, Mass.) led all players with 27 points including two of the Lions' 10 3-pointers (one of seven Lions to hit from long range). Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.) posted another double-double with a team-high 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Seahawks.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Emerson 73, Salve Regina 62
Records: Salve Regina (6-9, 0-1 NEWMAC), Emerson (10-5, 1-0 NEWMAC)
History: Salve Regina University and Emerson College meet for the 13th time and third in NEWMAC regular season. Briana Neary scored a career-high 38 points on 14 field goals and 10-of-11 from the free throw line as Salve Regina edged Emerson, 92-87, in NEWMAC action at the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym in Boston in 2024. However, the game-high scorer was Bri Frongillo of the Lions with her 40 points on 13 field goals (five 3-pointers) and nine free throws. On Jan. 29, 2025, Emerson won for the first time in the series history. Six different Lions hit from long range as Emerson made 16 3-pointers during an 87-72 victory and the visitors remained undefeated (4-0) in NEWMAC play while improving to 13-5 overall. On Feb. 26, 2025, graduate student Amanda Folan scored a career-high 36 points and dished out a game-high seven assists as fifth-seeded Salve Regina defeated fourth-seeded Emerson, 93-87, in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) quarterfinal round. Salve Regina leads the all-time series, 11-2.

SUMMARY

• 1Q | Salve Regina came out aggressive, with Sophie Hjerpe drilling a 3-pointer to open the scoring and put the Seahawks ahead early. The home team pushed the pace; Salve hit a few quick shots and forced turnovers to lead 6–4 midway through the period. Emerson answered with modest efficiency, with Jessie Silk's early layup giving the Lions a 3–2 edge at the first scoring juncture, and Kaylin O'Meara and Bri Frongillo converting free throws to help Emerson take a narrow lead. By quarter's end, Emerson had built a small advantage, outscoring Salve Regina 14–16, despite missing on most of its perimeter attempts in the opening stanza. | SEAHAWKS 16, LIONS 14
• 2Q | Both teams traded buckets early in the second quarter. Salve's Deanna Linscott hit a 3-pointer, and Emerson continued to find scoring from Frongillo and Claire English, helping the Lions stay in striking distance. The Seahawks maintained activity inside, with Marissa Forino and Emma Cochrane contributing in the paint, though defensive possessions were often punctuated by turnovers and rebounding battles. Both squads struggled with consistency behind the arc, but Emerson's balanced scoring defensively kept Salve Regina from establishing much separation. By halftime, the quarter was evenly matched and Emerson held a slight advantage. | SEAHAWKS 15, LIONS 18
• 3Q | The third quarter marked a decisive shift. Emerson came out with greater offensive rhythm, shooting efficiently from both inside and beyond the arc. Frongillo and English led the charge, combining slashing drives and midrange jumpers that broke the contest open. Salve Regina fought back with solid minutes from Sofia Neary and Cochrane, but the Seahawks couldn't sustain stops, and Emerson's defense forced multiple contested possessions. The Lions outpaced their hosts 24–21 in the quarter, turning a slim lead into a meaningful one heading into the final period. | SEAHAWKS 21, LIONS 24
• 4Q | The fourth quarter began tightly contested, with Salve Regina continuing to chip away through hustle plays and key baskets from Neary. However, Emerson's depth showed through as bench contributions helped maintain spacing and convert crucial possessions. As the clock wound down, the Lions tightened the screws on defense and protected a modest lead. Free throws and key late baskets from Frongillo and English sealed the outcome, enabling Emerson to extend the lead and secure the win. | SEAHAWKS 10, LIONS 17

NOTEWORTHY

• Sofia Neary led the Seahawks with 21 points and a strong presence on the boards, while Deanna Linscott added valuable perimeter scoring (three 3-pointers).
• Bri Frongillo paced the Lions with a game-high 27 points, supported by Claire English and Jessie Silk with key scoring and defensive activity.
• Seven of the nine Lions in the game hit a basket from behind the arc.
• Emma Cochrane came off the bench to provide 14 points for the Seahawks.

ON THE HORIZON
Salve Regina hosts Springfield College on Wednesday night (7 p.m.) from the Rodgers Recreation Center with the Portsmouth Youth Basketball squad enjoying halftime action on the hardwood. Game is broadcast on FloCollege.