Salve Regina engineers win over WPI, 75-58

NEWPORT, R.I. (Wednesday, January 17, 2024) -- After trailing 26-20 early in the second quarter, the Salve Regina University women's basketball team outscored Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 19-7, over the remaining 6:36 of the first half and finished with a 17-point NEWMAC victory, 75-58, at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Wednesday evening.

Four Seahawks (8-8, 2-0 NEWMAC) scored in double figures led by 20 points each from graduate student Morgan Shuey (Corning, Iowa) and junior Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.). Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.) posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. She also added three blocked shots and three assists. Briana Neary (Wayne, N.J.) contributed 11 points before fouling out with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 75, WPI 58
Records: Salve Regina (8-8, 2-0 NEWMAC), WPI (8-8, 0-2 NEWMAC)
All-Time Series: The teams had met four times previously from 1993 through 1996. After Salve Regina won the first gathering at Rogers High School, WPI took the next three (twice in Worcester and once in Newport at the Martin Recreation Center). Salve Regina is now 2-3 in the all-time meetings.

SUMMARY

• 1Q - Morgan Shuey opened the scoring with a 3-pointer on the first Seahawk possession after winning the tap. Shuey's layup with an assist from Sofia Neary pushed the lead back to three, and then Neary's layup at 7:45 had the Seahawks up, 7-4. The Engineers went on an 8-0 run before Briana Neary and Ashley Rourke scored the next three baskets. Deanna Linscott hit a long two-pointer at the buzzer on Morgan Shuey's third assist of the quarter to close the deficit to two. | Engineers 20, Seahawks 18
• 2Q - Emmy Allyn and Alice Kelly hit the first two buckets in the period to give WPI its biggest lead of the game. Ashley Rourke pulled down a defensive rebound and Olivia Martin fed Briana Neary for a jumper in the paint, and then Rourke hit a pair of treys sandwiched around a Megan Stone layup to tie the score at 28-all. Salve Regina finished the quarter with an 11-5 run and Ashley Rourke had 10 of the Seahawks' 21 points. Two assists apiece from Morgan Shuey, Amanda Folan, and Olivia Martin. | Seahawks 39, Engineers 33
• 3Q - The teams played this period even with 17 points apiece. Alice Kelly led all players with 10 points for WPI. Briana Neary paced Salve Regina with five points. The Seahawks got seven points from their bench -- Marissa Forino (2), Olivia Martin (3), and Deanna Linscott (2). Both teams totaled five field goals, one 3-pointer, and six free throws. Salve Regina scored eight of its 17 points in the paint. | Seahawks 56, Engineers 50
• 4Q - Salve Regina drew the fifth team foul on WPI by 5:51 in the quarter. The Seahawks held the Engineers to just two field goals in the quarter while Salve Regina made nine of 12 free throws. Morgan Shuey produced 11 points on 4-for-4 from the floor and three free throws. Sofia Neary had two blocks and five defensive rebounds in the frame. Ashley Rourke added six points and was perfect from the line (4-for-4). | Seahawks 75, Engineers 58

NOTEWORTHY

• Morgan Shuey had her ninth game (out of 15) with six or more assists.
• Ashley Rourke and Morgan Shuey led all players with 20 points each.
• Alice Kelly led the visitors with 16 points (5-of-10 from the floor and 6-of-6 from the line) before fouling out.
• Sofia Neary notched her fifth double-double of the season (13 points, 11 rebounds). She also added three blocked shots for her 10th straight game with at least one.
• Briana Neary had 11 points and has finished with double figures in scoring in 13 of 15 games played.

QUOTING COACH HUGHES on X

.@salvewbb head coach Cori Hughes saw her Seahawks win their second straight game as a first-year member of the @NEWMACsports https://t.co/ZSM4CrztFD pic.twitter.com/r559touA2b

— Salve Regina Sports (@SalveAthletics) January 18, 2024

ON THE HORIZON
Salve Regina plays its first NEWMAC road game when the Seahawks visit Babson College on Saturday in Wellesley, Mass., with a 1 p.m. tip-off.