WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- In a tightly contested matchup on January 6, 2026,
Salve Regina University secured a 71–65 victory over the University of Saint Joseph, fueled by a dominant 28-point fourth quarter. The
Seahawks trailed 19–16 after the first period but surged ahead in the second, limiting the Blue Jays to just 6 points to take a five-point lead into halftime. After a balanced third quarter where both teams scored 13,
Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.) took over the game, finishing with a massive 30-point, 15-rebound
double-double. The final frame was defined by Salve Regina's efficiency at the free-throw line, where they sank 18 of 22 attempts to stave off a late 27-point rally from Saint Joseph. Key contributions from
Hannah Lauenstein (Delmar, N.Y.), who added 10 points and 7 rebounds, helped the Seahawks overcome a strong performance by the Blue Jays'
Sequoia Turcotte Briggs.
Salve Regina (6-7) wins for the first time on the James A. Calhoun hardwood.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 71, Saint Joseph 65
Records: Salve Regina (6-7, 0-0 NEWMAC), Saint Joseph (2-9, 0-0 GNAC)
History: These programs meet for the fifth time and Salve Regina takes a 3-2 lead in the series. Before last season's 71-55 win at home, the Seahawks trailed on the scoreboard, 225 to 224, and 2-1 in the series. Despite outscoring the opposition in two of four quarters, Salve Regina had a low of eight points in the third quarter during the same period Saint Joseph enjoyed a 31-point output at the James A. Calhoun Center.
Briana Neary and
Ashley Rourke led the Seahawks with 13 points apiece. Last year in Newport,
Briana Neary led all players with 26 points on 11-of-20 from the floor and four free throws.
Sofia Neary posted a double-double with her then career-high 22 rebounds and 15 points.
Amanda Folan had three field goals from long range and finished with 11 points.
Hope Halvarson highlighted the triumph with seven steals.
SUMMARY
- 1Q | In the opening period, Saint Joseph jumped out to a 19–16 lead, utilizing an early 8–0 run sparked by a Maya Slisz jumper. Salve Regina kept pace behind Sofia Neary, who scored six points in the paint and converted a crucial layup in the final seconds. | Seahawks 16, Blue Jays 19
- 2Q | The Seahawks' defense clamped down in the second quarter, holding the Blue Jays to just six points on 2-of-13 shooting. This defensive stand allowed Salve Regina to take a 30–25 halftime lead, punctuated by a Hannah Lauenstein three-pointer. | Seahawks 14, Blue Jays 6
- 3Q | The third quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams scoring 13 points and struggling to find a rhythm from the floor. Neary continued her dominance inside with two key buckets, while Saint Joseph's Emilee Marcello answered with a late layup to keep the deficit at five. | Seahawks 13, Blue Jays 13
- 4Q | In a high-scoring fourth quarter, Salve Regina exploded for 28 points, largely driven by a parade to the free-throw line where they made 18 attempts. Despite a late 27-point surge from Saint Joseph led by Sequoia Turcotte Briggs, the Seahawks' composure at the stripe secured the 71–65 victory. | Seahawks 28, Blue Jays 27
NOTEWORTHY
- Salve Regina made 32-of-45 from the free throw line (71.1%).
- Sofia Neary had her 11th double-double in her first 13 games of her senior season.
- With an 11-0 run in the second quarter, Salve Regina took the lead for good and held the advantage for over 33 minutes (out of 40).
- The 32 free throws made equals the program's all-time mark set a dozen years ago by the Seahawks against the Nor'easters on January 9, 2014, and the 45 attempts is a new high (by three) from the same game.
SEAHAWK HIGHLIGHTS ON X
ON THE HORIZON
Salve Regina tips off against East Texas Baptist University on Saturday at 3 p.m. for their first-ever meeting with a school in the third of their last five games.
