Morton milestone in Salve Regina's six-point victory

SEAHAWK MEN'S BASKETBALL RESULTS
Salve Regina 79, Worcester State 73
Rodgers Rec. Ctr. - Newport, R.I.
Saturday, December 9, 2017

Summary
NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University senior Rodney Morton (Malden, Mass.) became the 19th Seahawk men's basketball player to reach 1,000 career points milestone, and he led the team to a 79-73 victory over visiting Worcester State University with a game-high 25 points in non-league action at the Rodgers Recreation Center. Morton led all players with 15 points at halftime, but the Lancers had a seven-point lead (42-35) at the break. Salve Regina (5-3) went on a 10-0 run in the first 90 seconds of the second half with an old-fashioned three-point play from junior Isaiah Bowman (Roxbury, Mass.), a 3-pointer and layup from freshman Kevin Kelly (Valhalla, N.Y.), and a layup from freshman Cameron Collins (Oakdale, Conn.). Morton's milestone came on a 3-pointer with 12:40 left in the second half and gave the Seahawks a 57-54 lead. Worcester State (1-10) had retaken the lead with a 13-4 run over a 3:40 span, before Salve Regina outscored the visitors 18-6 in the final eight minutes.

Series and Streaks
Salve Regina leads the all-time series, 6-4, and now has won three of the last four meetings.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Salve Regina senior Rodney Morton (Malden, Mass.) scored a game-high 25 points including his 1,000th career point. He's the 19th men's basketball player in school history to reach the milestone; his 3-point basket at 12:40 mark in second half gave the Seahawks a three-point lead, 57-54.
2. Salve Regina freshman Kevin Kelly (Valhalla, N.Y.) scored 17 points, his highest output in four career games at the Rodgers Recreation Center. He made three of four free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. He led all players with 11 rebounds.
3. Worcester State freshman Bryson Gulley (Mattapan, Mass.) scored a team-high 18 points on seven of 13 from the floor including four of eight 3-pointers.

Key Stat of the Game
In a game with nine lead changes and four ties, Salve Regina outscored the visitors 38-23 in the paint, 17-8 off turnovers, and 23-11 with second chances. Salve Regina held a 43-34 edge in rebounding (16-9 edge on the offensive glass).

Turning Point
Trailing by six (67-71 with 8:04 remaining), Salve Regina went on an 11-0 run with four points from sophomore Gabe Granberry (Dorchester, Mass.), a layup and two free throws, and climaxed by a dunk from Morton.

Quick Hits

• Kevin Kelly recorded his first collegiate double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) and first of the season for the Seahawks.
• Three other Lancers scored in double figures - Shaun McCarthy (Oxford, Mass.), Will Watkins Jr. (Southbridge, Mass.), and Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plains, Mass.).
• Kelly added three assists and four steals; Kevin Mannix (Barrington, R.I.) also had four steals, two assists, and five rebounds.
• Morton follows Nicholas Bates as the last two Seahawks to reach 1,000 career points; Morton now has 1,004.
• Will Watkins Jr. led Worcester State with six rebounds.

Next Up
Salve Regina (5-3) will be in New London, Conn., for its final two games of 2017 (Dec. 12 at Mitchell; Dec. 31 at Coast Guard). Worcester State takes a three-week break and resumes play on Saturday, December 30, as it hosts Roger Williams.