Harden's difference in Seahawk win over Gulls

NEWPORT, R.I. - Three Seahawks scored in double figures, led by 21 points from freshman guard Meaghan Harden (Sandwich, Mass.), as Salve Regina University women's basketball defeated Endicott College by 22 points, 71-49, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) contest at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Similar to an earlier meeting between these two teams this season, the home team led by 21 at the break. However, in the November 28 contest the Seahawks rallied on the road before ultimately falling by two, 59-57.

Sophomore forward Brianna Del Valle (Belchertown, Mass.) opened the scoring tonight with a layup. Junior forward Jennifer White (Lisbon, N.H.) gave Endicott (11-6; 7-3 CCC) its only lead of the night when she swished a 3-pointer at 18:32.

The visitors preferred shooting behind the arc as five of their first six field goals were 3-pointers.

Del Valle followed White's basket with another layup before the conference's three-time Rookie of the Week, Harden, scored the next eight points with a layup and two 3-pointers. Junior Samantha Crough (Cohasset, Mass.) interrupted the 10-0 Seahawk run with a driving layup.

Seahawk senior point guard Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) and Harden contributed two baskets apiece during an 8-3 run for Salve Regina (10-7; 7-3 CCC) as the home team built a 12-point lead, 20-8.

After a Crough 3-pointer, Cortney Rosenlund (Whitinsville, Mass.) and Madelyn Brackett (Coopersville, Mich.) provided a spark off the bench with consecutive baskets. Brackett completed an old-fashioned three-point play with her free throw.

A 13-3 run for the Seahawks included two 3-pointers for Rosenlund and a layup plus free throw for sophomore Laura Anne Dinan (Monterey, Mass.). After missing four games, junior Marissa Pendergast (Medfield, Mass.) returned to the starting lineup and harrassed the Gulls for six first-half steals. She added a pair of free throws as Salve Regina opened a 20-point lead, 38-18, with 51 seconds left in the half.

Birrell made a spectacular steal at midcourt and launch a successful 3-pointer just a few feet inside the half-court line as the buzzer sounded for intermission. Salve Regina led 41-20.

Harden's layup as the second half opened gave Salve Regina its largest lead, 23 points, but Endicott was determined to better Salve Regina's comeback effort from two months ago. The Gulls enjoyed a 12-2 run with scoring from five different players including two baskets from junior Julie Manning (Hull, Mass.).

A subsequent 14-6 run included three layups for lefty Jordan Ferland (Charlestown, N.H.) and closed the gap to seven, 54-47, with over eight minutes remaining.

Salve Regina outscored Endicott, 17-to-2, over the final 7:32 to clinch its 10th win overall and 11th win in 12 home meetings with the Gulls.

Birrell finished with 15 points, seven assists, three blocks, and four steals while Del Valle also reached double-figure points with 10 and added eight rebounds to tie Harden for team high. Freshman Kelsey Cuddy (Madison, Conn.) led Endicott with nine points and nine rebounds.

The Seahawks travel to University of New England on Saturday to face the Nor'easters while the Gulls return to Rhode Island to take on Roger Williams University.