Posted: Feb 20, 2017

Scorpio rookie of the year; joined by Beland on All-CCC squad

Torie Scorpio and Kerri Beland named to all-conference teams (Original photos by Rob McGuinness)

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University women's basketball landed two players on the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) all-conference teams with freshman Torie Scorpio (Cranston, R.I.) earning a major honor as the league's Rookie of the Year. Scorpio also earned a selection to the second team, and is joined on the squad by sophomore teammate Kerri Beland (Attleboro, Mass.) who earned votes for a third team nod.

Scorpio, the first-year guard, started all 25 games for the Seahawks this year and averaged the most minutes per game (36.2) in the conference. She ranked in the Top 10 in assists (78), steals (44), and points per game (12.6). She was also very strong from the charity stripe, knocking down 71.0 percent of her free throws, which ranked her ninth in the conference. During the regular season, Scorpio was honored as the CCC Rookie of the Week once.

Beland started 24 of 25 games (all but senior day this past Saturday) and ranks second in the league in minutes per game (35.7 - CCC games only). In overall games, the second-year guard averages 12.4 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game.

"Kerri Beland has stepped up and developed into an important leader and crucial member of this team," 10th-year head coach Cori Hughes commented. "She has greatly improved on both ends of the court, and that improvement is a big reason for our recent success. I'm pleased her efforts and play have been recognized, and am excited to see her continue to grow and lead us in the future."

"I am happy, but not surprised, that Torie Scorpio has been chosen as Rookie of the Year in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. I said this in her nomination, and I think it bears repeating: 'Torie is a talented, hard-working, unselfish player; I not only think she's the best rookie, I also think she is one of the best players in the conference.' She is deserving of this award; I am pleased my peers agreed."

Salve Regina (10-15, 8-10 CCC) earned the seventh seed in the CCC championships and will open postseason play at second-seeded Roger Williams on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).