NEWPORT, R.I. (Friday, January 2, 2026) -- Salve Regina University women's basketball fell behind by 22 points at halftime against Johnson & Wales University in non-league action at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Friday night, and dropped the contest, 74-49, to the Wildcats. It was the fourth win in the all-time series for Johnson & Wales (9-3, 3-0 CNE) and the second straight by a 25-point margin.

Three players had double-doubles in the contest. For the visitors, Grace Jaffray (Blue Hill, Maine) led all players with 25 points and she added 10 rebounds. Mikayla Caruso (Newton, N.J.) pulled down a team-high 11 boards for the Wildcats while scoring 13 points. Salve Regina (5-7, 0-0 NEWMAC) senior captain Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.) registered her 10th double-double of the season (in 12 games) with 11 points and a game-high 18 caroms.

Maeve Tullson (Tiverton, R.I.) scored five points in just over two minutes of action and earned a plus-minus of positive seven.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Johnson & Wales 74, Salve Regina 49
Records: Salve Regina (5-7, 0-0 NEWMAC), Johnson & Wales (9-3, 3-0 CNE)
All-Time Series: Salve Regina now leads the series, 10-4, against Johnson & Wales (started in Providence in 1996). The four Wildcats wins have come in the last 11 years (2015, 2020, 2024, 2026).

SUMMARY:

• 1Q | Johnson & Wales jumped out to an early lead, using efficient scoring and strong shooting to build a double-digit advantage while Salve Regina struggled to find its rhythm offensively. Salve Regina did chip away slightly late in the quarter, but JWU maintained control. | WILDCATS 24, SEAHAWKS 13
• 2Q | The Wildcats continued to control the tempo, limiting Salve Regina's scoring opportunities and extending their lead with consistent offense. Salve Regina had difficulty converting shots, and JWU's balanced scoring helped preserve their edge at halftime. | WILDCATS 16, SEAHAWKS 5
• 3Q | Salve Regina showed some signs of life with a few more made baskets to start the half, but Johnson & Wales countered with disciplined play and maintained a comfortable cushion through most of the period. The Wildcats' offense remained in control, keeping the Seahawks at bay. | WILDCATS 18, SEAHAWKS 12
• 4Q | Salve Regina put together a stronger push in the final quarter with improved shooting and a more aggressive approach, narrowing the margin somewhat. However, Johnson & Wales was able to sustain just enough scoring to close out the game and secure the win. | SEAHAWKS 19, WILDCATS 16

NOTEWORTHY:

• Salve Regina had a season-high 12 blocked shots from six different players, led by Neary with four swats.
• Deanna Linscott had a nine-point effort off the bench to lead the Seahawks in that category (Salve bench outscored the visitors, 26-to-18).
• Both teams made a dozen free throws, but the Wildcats made eight more field goals than the Seahawks (25-to-17) and had a nine to three edge from behind the arc.

ON THE HORIZON:
Salve Regina plays at University of St. Joseph next Wednesday (January 7) with a 1 p.m. tip-off.