Corsairs break away from Seahawks

NEWPORT, R.I. (November 17, 2021) - Four Corsairs score in double-figures to lead visiting UMass Dartmouth over Salve Regina University, 76-47, in non-league women's basketball action at the Rodgers Recreation Center in Newport, Rhode Island.

The Corsairs (3-1) were led by senior Jordan Moretti's 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting with four assists. Senior Caroline Wilson finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Jemima Joseph notched a career high 11 points with nine rebounds off the bench, and 5th-year senior Meagan Donovan sunk two triples to finish with 12 points.

The Seahawks (1-3) were led by junior Morgan Shuey and sophomore Briana Neary, who each finished with nine points. Neary added five rebounds for the home team. UMassD played stout defense with four blocked shots and forced 27 turnovers. The Corsairs also held Salve to 20-of-62 (32.3%) from field and 4-of-18 (22.2%) from 3-point land. 

UMass Dartmouth led by as many as five points in the first. Layups by Moretti and Wilson followed by a 3-ball by junior Haley Reinold made it a 7-4 lead at the 5:29 mark of the quarter. A steal by sophomore Teja Andrews led to a jumper in the paint by Moretti to extend the advantage to 11-6. Salve Regina then closed the quarter on a 5-0 run to even the score at 11 after one.

The Corsairs began to slowly build its lead in the second. Trailing 15-13, Donovan stuck a triple, and Moretti and Joseph scored in the paint, to give UMassD a 22-15 advantage with 4:41 until halftime. After another Donovan three, UMass Dartmouth utilized its paint presence with baskets from 5th-year senior Lauren Empey, Wilson, Moretti and Joseph. Moretti then nailed a fastbreak jumper at the end of the half to make it a 37-28 game.

A 3-pointer by Reinold opened the third and UMass Dartmouth maintained a double-digit lead throughout the quarter. A 7-0 run that was capped off with an and-1 from senior Jessica Carroll extended the lead to 47-30 with 5:38 on the clock. Salve closed its gap to nine points, but an 8-2 run with each basket coming in the paint had the Corsairs on top, 55-40, after three.

It was a dominant fourth-quarter, as the Corsairs outscored the Seahawks 21-7 to put the game away. Joseph scored seven points over the first 3:30 of the quarter and Wilson sunk a 3-ball to make it a 72-42 advantage. Andrews hit two more shots down the stretch to finish things off.

UMass Dartmouth begins the LaFrance Hospitality Tournament at the Tripp Athletic Center on Friday against Western New England at 7 p.m. Salve Regina welcomes Clark University for a Saturday matinee (1 p.m.) in the Rodgers Recreation Center.