WILLIMANTIC, Conn. - Hannah Lauenstein (Delmar, N.Y.) scored a game-high 20 points, but Salve Regina University dropped a 71-50 decision to Eastern Connecticut State University in non-conference women's basketball action Tuesday night inside Francis E. Geissler Gym. Salve Regina fell to 0-2 on the season, while Eastern Conn. St. improved to 2-0.
The Seahawks overcame an early deficit and used a 13-0 second-quarter surge to take their largest lead of the night at 22-17 midway through the period. Lauenstein fueled the run with eight points, including a pair of three-pointers, while Frankie Spadorcia (Braintree, Mass.) added a basket to help Salve Regina seize momentum.
The Warriors responded with a strong closing stretch before halftime, outscoring the Seahawks 15-7 over the remainder of the quarter to carry a 37-29 lead into the break. A buzzer-beating three-pointer by Gabriella Kufuor pushed the margin to eight.
Trailing by as many as 15 in the third quarter, Salve Regina mounted one final charge. The Seahawks used a 12-3 run to pull within 46-43 with 1:06 left in the period. Lauenstein scored seven points during the rally, while Spadorcia contributed five, trimming the deficit to three.
However, Eastern Connecticut State answered immediately with a three-pointer from Marissa Nudd and another from Kufuor in the final minute of the quarter to extend the advantage back to nine at 52-43. The Warriors then opened the fourth quarter on a 15-3 run and led by as many as 23 points on their way to the victory.
Lauenstein finished 8-for-12 from the field and connected on all four of her three-point attempts while adding five rebounds and five assists. Spadorcia came off the bench to score 10 points with seven rebounds, and Emma Cochrane (Norton, Mass.) added seven points, four rebounds, and five blocked shots. Quinn Barry (Naugatuck, Conn.) chipped in seven points for the Seahawks.
For the Warriors, Marissa Nudd and Maddie Topa each scored 19 points. Morgan Yonush led all players with 12 rebounds and added eight points, while Katelyn Novak added nine points, seven rebounds, four assists, and five steals.
Eastern Connecticut State shot 46.0 percent from the floor and held advantages in rebounds (45-30) and fast-break points (17-4). Salve Regina forced 22 turnovers and received 23 points from its bench but was limited to 35.7 percent shooting overall and 6-for-13 at the free-throw line.
The Seahawks return to action Saturday when they host UMass Dartmouth for a non-conference matchup on FloCollege.
