Bears defeat Seahawks in New London, Conn.

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Sophomore Zoe Riis-Fallica had a career high 19 points and Coast Guard held Salve Regina to 16 total second half points, as the Bears won their first game of the season 75-49 Friday night. With the win the Bears improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Seahawks take their first loss of the year and fall to 1-1.

Riis-Fallica added five rebounds and two assists to go along with her game high 19 points. She was 7-11 from the floor and 5-8 from beyond the arc. Junior Micaela Martinelli scored in double figures for the second straight game with 14 points and six rebounds, Sophomore Breanna Wood had a game high 11 rebounds and three steals. Junior Kerri Beland led Salve Regina with 13 points and nine boards. Sophomore Torie Scorpio scored nine points and senior Ally Esielionis added eight points and five rebounds.

After a back and forth first half Coast Guard was down three to start the second half, 33-30. The Bears came storming out in the third quarter on a 15-2 run with 2:49 to go in the period. Martinelli scored five over this stretch while Riis-Fallica splashed one of her five treys. Coast Guard closed out the third quarter with a ten point lead, 51-41 and continued to increase their lead in the final period going on a 20-4 run to open the fourth capped off by free throw from freshman Brenna Farrington to make it 71-45 with 2:05 left in the game. Senior Gillian Gerton had seven over this stretch while Farrington had four.

The Bears allowed four more points the rest of the way completing their first win of the season 75-49 making Coast Guard 6-2 in their last eight home openers.

The Bears were 24-64 (37.5%) overall and shot 40% (14-35) from three. Coast Guard's 14 three pointers was the most since February 13, 2006 in a win over Albertus Magnus. The Bears had a 24-8 advantage in bench point and scored 28 points off 27 turnovers. The Seahawks shot 32% (16-50) from the floor and were 5-17 (29.4%) beyond the arc.