Seahawks host Mustangs in Newport

LAST TIME OUT
(Nov. 18, 2017) MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Salve Regina University freshman Kevin Kelly (Valhalla, N.Y.) earned a spot on the all-tourney team in the Herb Kenny Tip-Off Tournament (hosted by Wesleyan University). Kelly scored 16 points in his collegiate debut, a 70-61 setback to Mitchell College on Friday night, and then led the Seahawks in points (22) and rebounds (nine) in a Saturday afternoon loss to Anna Maria (81-76). Senior teammate Rodney Morton (Malden, Mass.) played 77 of 80 minutes on the weekend and scored 20 points in both games while shooting 33.3 percent from the floor. Morton had six assists against the AMCATS. Salve Regina leads the all-time series with Anna Maria, a former member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), 27-23; the Seahawks and Mariners have met five times - Salve Regina won the first three meetings and Mitchell has won the last two - and will meet again next month in New London, Conn. (Dec. 12, 2017). Since 1982, Salve Regina is 16-19 in season openers.

MORE READING: Kevin Kelly named to all-tourney team in Herb Kenny Tip-Off hosted by Wesleyan

SEAHAWKS NOTES FROM THE NEST

• Freshmen have led the Seahawks in rebounding in each of the first two games - Stephen Natola (Exeter, N.H.) on Friday with eight caroms, and Kevin Kelly on Saturday with nine boards.
• Salve Regina made 21-of-24 free throws (87.5 percent) combined against the Mariners and AMCATS.
• Kelly (12-of-13) had the bulk of the trips to the line; Rodney Morton made six of his seven attampts from the charity stripe.
• The Seahawks launched 48 three-point attempts in the two games, making 14 from behind the arc (29.2 percent).
• Stop thief! The Seahawks made 20 steals and their opponents only made seven against them.
• The Seahawks were whistled for 40 personal fouls; Anna Maria and Mitchell combined for just 26 personal fouls.
• All 11 Seahawks playing in the Herb Kenny Tip-Off Tournament had at least one defensive rebound.
• Sophomore Gabe Granberry (Dorchester, Mass.) made five of seven shots from the floor (71.4 percent).
• Milestone watch - Rodney Morton now has 890 career points.
• Salve Regina has not opened its men's basketball season at home since 2012, a 79-75 win over Johnson & Wales University.
• The 2017-18 Seahawks represent five states (and two countries) - Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Japan.

MUSTANGS MUSINGS

• Seniors Joey DeFillippi and Jacob Sartain each scored 16 points as Mount Ida overcame a 14-point first half deficit to post an 86-82 non-league college men's basketball victory over Sage in opening round play of the 2017 Wheaton Tip-Off Tournament Friday evening at Emerson Gymnasium.
• DeFillippi notched a double-double effort by grabbing 10 rebounds to go with his point total in the win for Mount Ida.
• The Mustangs led by nine at the half (34-25) in the championship game against the host Lyons of Wheaton College, but eventually fell, 83-66.
• Brendan Cunningham led Mount Ida in scoring (16 points), Kevin Vanderhorst in rebounds (12), and Joey DeFillippi in assists (6).
• Coaching experience - Brian Cerone, first year; Sean Foster, 16th year.
• The 2017-18 Mustangs represent nine states - Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Texas.

INSIDE THE SERIES
First-ever meeting in men's basketball between Salve Regina University and Mount Ida College.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Salve Regina plays the second of three consecutive home games on Sunday, November 26, when the Rams of Suffolk University visit for a 1 p.m. tip off. Mount Ida plays at Lesley on Monday, November 27, with a 7 p.m. tip off.