NEWPORT, R.I. -- Salve Regina University men's basketball fought for a three-point edge in the second half (32-29) but had a 15-point deficit to overcome and fell by a dozen, 70-58, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action at the Harrington Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.

Three Seahawks scored in double figures led by Domenic Malvey's (Newton, N.H.) 20 points on nine of 13 from the floor and two free throws. Justin Molen (Newark, Del.) led the Engineers with a 19-point effort.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: WPI 70, Salve Regina 58 
Records: Salve Regina (15-6, 8-4 NEWMAC), WPI (17-4, 10-2 NEWMAC)
History: These programs meet for the 25th time in men's basketball and sixth time as fellow NEWMAC members. WPI had won six in a row including all four during league competition until the Seahawks rallied for a 77-73 victory over then-#24 Engineers.

SUMMARY

• 1H | WPI came out of the gates with clear intent, establishing rhythm on both ends from the opening tip. Junior Tim Reidy opened the scoring with a paint jumper just seconds into the game, and early contributions from Matt Morvillo inside quickly pushed WPI ahead 6-2. WPI's pressure offense consistently forced Salve Regina turnovers and simplified scoring opportunities — Morvillo and Justin Molen each scored in transition and on cuts that put the visitors ahead by as many as seven before Salve Regina could settle in offensively. 
  Salve Regina answered back in bursts — a layup and free-throw by Domenic Malvey cut the deficit to 6-5, and Pat Spenard's timely 3-pointer briefly narrowed the margin with his team within a point at 9-8. But WPI steadily stretched its lead thanks to a barrage of field goals from multiple spot-up shooters. A reasoned mix of inside scoring and backdoor kickouts pushed WPI's first-half total into the 20s. By the end of the half WPI had outpaced Salve Regina 41–26, forcing Salve Regina into hurried possessions and a sub-30% shooting clip from beyond the arc. | SEAHAWKS 26, ENGINEERS 41
• 2H | The second half began with a noticeably more aggressive Salve Regina squad. The Seahawks found better spacing and connected on a few more perimeter shots than they did in the opening period, and their inside scoring — led again by Malvey — cut into WPI's cushion. Salve Regina tallied more second-half field goals and improved its shooting efficiency, trimming the margin in patches to keep the contest within reach. Despite the push, WPI's lead remained intact as they continued to generate quality shots. Molen — the Engineers' leading scorer — paced the offense with balanced shotmaking, and Nathan Bledsoe added timely buckets to maintain distance. WPI kept Salve Regina at bay through disciplined ball control and clutch free throws in the closing minutes that preserved its cushion. Salve Regina's rally efforts fell short as WPI maintained consistent defensive pressure, limiting extended runs and closing out the contest with a 70-58 victory. | SEAHAWKS 32, ENGINEERS 29

NOTEWORTHY

• Three Seahawks scored in double figures led by Domenic Malvey's (Newton, N.H.) 20 points on nine of 13 from the floor and two free throws.
• This was the first loss of the season where the Seahawks outrebounded their opponent (32-31).

ON THE HORIZON
Salve Regina hosts Springfield College on Wednesday on FloCollege.