Birrell leads Salve Regina over Curry, 61-34

NEWPORT, R.I. - Junior point guard Kaitlyn Birrell (Scituate, R.I.) scored a career-high 20 points and swiped a career-high 11 steals while leading Salve Regina University women's basketball to a 61-34 victory over visiting Curry College in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action.

Birrell helped the Seahawks build an 8-0 lead at the outset as one of four starters to score. Freshman Laura Anne Dinan (Monterey, Mass.) hit the first bucket followed by a short jumper from senior tri-captain Kira Murphy (Goffstown, N.H.). Birrell then scored her first basket before sophomore Marissa Pendergast (Medfield, Mass.) made a layup.

By the end of the half, Salve Regina (5-5; 2-1 CCC) had twice as many points (34-17) with Birrell threatening to post a triple-double. She had 16 points, six rebounds, and five steals at the break. On one play in the middle of the first period, she blocked a Curry 3-point attempt, collected the loose ball rebound and dribbled the other way for a left-handed lay in. Birrell finished with a game-high five assists to go along with her 20 points, 11 steals, and six rebounds.

Junior guard Carolyn Houston (Melrose, N.Y.) scored the first two baskets of the second half for the Colonels, but Curry (4-5; 2-1 CCC) never got closer than 13 (34-21) the rest of the way. Houston finished with a team-high 10 points while freshman teammate Kylie Beltz (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) contributed nine boards.

Murphy led all players with her career-best 10 rebounds. Salve Regina continued its shot-blocking efforts, totalling 14, with a game-high eight from senior swatter Lindsay Shorey (Ashland, Mass.). Shorey was honored before the game for reaching the 1,000-point milestone last month in a 63-37 win at Westfield State.

In only two home games for her young career, Seahawk freshman Brianna DelValle (Belchertown, Mass.) has shot 77.8 percent from the floor (7-for-9) and scored 18 points (10 points today) in 38 minutes of action. Birrell has double-doubles in both home games this season.

Salve Regina returns to the home hardwood on Tuesday when it hosts Eastern Nazarene at 5 p.m.; Curry hosts Roger Williams at 6 p.m. in Milton, Mass.