Polar Bears stifle Seahawks, 73-33

BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College women's basketball team posted a superb defensive performance in a 73-33 victory over Salve Regina on Saturday afternoon at Morrell Gymnasium. 

The Polar Bears, who held the Seahawks to just 20% shooting from the field in the game, improve to 4-2 this season with the win. Salve Regina drops to 3-3 on the year with the setback.

Bowdoin had a balanced attack led by 16 points from Shannon Brady. Marle Curle added 10 points while Siena Mitman contributed 10 points off the bench. Meaghan Harden had 14 points to pace the Seahawks while Allyson Esielionis also saw double figures with 11.

Bowdoin jumped to a 18-4 lead in the first seven minutes, capping a big run to open the contest with a Lauren Petit three-pointer. The Polar Bears continued to roll for the rest of the opening period and held Salve to just one field goal over the final 7:28 of the period to take a 47-14 lead at halftime.

Salve Regina found a little spark early in the second half and used a 11-0 surge to trim the Bowdoin lead to 27 points, 52-25, with 11:30 remaining. Bowdoin answered with a 13-1 run of their own to put the game away.

The Polar Bears held a 55-32 advantage in rebounds and forced 23 Salve Regina turnovers, holding the Seahawks to 20% shooting (9-45) and 0-11 from three-point range. It's the third lowest offensive output for the Seahawks all-time (30 points on Jan. 20, 1985; 33 points on Dec. 7, 1991; 31 points on Nov. 22, 1997).

Bowdoin will return to action on Wednesday evening as they host the University of Southern Maine in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. Salve Regina will also play Wednesday evening at home against Wentworth at 5:30 p.m.