Spencer spins record 43 points in Seahawk win

NEWPORT, R.I. (January 28, 2020) -- Salve Regina University sophomore Mikey Spencer (Abington, Mass.) set a school record with 43 points and tied a school record with nine 3-pointers to lead the Seahawks to a 97-86 win in non-conference action against visiting Connecticut College at the Rodgers Recreation Center. Spencer's point total is the most at the Seahawks' home facility by any player since it opened in November 2000.

The first half was tightly contested and featured four ties and five lead changes. The Seahawks began to pull away when Spencer converted three free throws to make it 19-14 at the 11:47 mark, but the Camels responded and knotted the score when junior Jack Zimmerman (Bedford, N.H.) drilled a trey before setting up Daniel Draffan (Hamden, Conn.) for a jumper. However, Stephen Natola (Exeter, N.H.) converted a layup to put the hosts ahead for good.

Salve Regina, which led 44-39 at halftime, got five straight points from Spencer to build its lead up to twin figures early in the second half. He then made back-to-back shots from downtown to balloon the margin to 18 at 62-44, and the visitors would never fully recover.

Connecticut College slashed the deficit all the way down to four points with 6:56 remaining, but that was as close as they would come. Spencer got hot from the field again, pushing the deficit back up to double digits, and the Seahawks made five charity shots in the final minute to seal their eighth win of the season.

Spencer led Salve Regina (8-10), which shot 59.1 percent from the floor, by racking up 43 points. He shot 15-of-24 from the floor, including 9-of-15 from long range, and 4-of-5 at the line. Kevin Kelly (Valhalla, N.Y.) finished with 20 points and eight assists to go along with four rebounds, while Cameron Collins (Oakdale, Conn.) also reached twin figures with 10 points.

Draffan netted a career-high 30 points by most notably shooting 12-of-15 from the field to pace Connecticut College in the setback. Freshman Ben McPherron (Weston, Mass.) contributed 17 points and four steals, and Zimmerman posted a double-double with 14 points and a career-best 10 helpers.

Series and Streaks
The schools met for on the basketball court for the first time since the Camels visited Newport on November 19, 2013, when the Seahawks won 68-34. Salve Regina wins for the eighth time in the history of the series and notches its third two-game win streak all-time versus Connecticut College. The Camels lead the all-time series, 14-8. Salve Regina has won five of its last six games while the Camels have lost 10 straight.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Seahawk sophomore Mikey Spencer (Abington, Mass.) netted a program record 43 points with a record-tying nine 3-pointers, and four-of-five from the line.
2. Camel junior Daniel Draffan (Hamden, Conn.) scored a career-high 30 points while shooting 12-of-15 from the field.
3. Seahawk junior Kevin Kelly (Valhalla, N.Y.) dished eight assists along with scoring second-most points on the night for his team (20).

Key Stat of the Game
Both teams connected 11 times from 3-point range. Spencer's nine treys were deep, at least two feet behind the arc on most attempts. Salve Regina made twice as many free throws (18-9) with just one more field goal (34-33).

Turning Point
Salve Regina, which led 44-39 at halftime, got five straight points from Spencer to build its lead up to twin figures early in the second half. He then made back-to-back shots from downtown to balloon the margin to 18 at 62-44, and the visitors would never fully recover.

Quick Hits

• Salve Regina extends its rebound advantage to six straight games (28-25).
• Both teams put a dozen players on the floor in tonight's game and each had nine players scoring.
• Five blocked shots from the Seahawks included two swats from sophomore Chris Peasley (Plainfield, Conn.).
• Seahawks match their season-high in 3-pointers (11) with previous marks coming against St. Joseph's (Nov. 26) and Dean College (Dec. 1).
• Spencer's 43 points eclipses Roy Jansen's 42 set on February 17, 1994, in a first-round playoff matchup with Wentworth Institute of Technology at Rogers High School. Jansen made a school-record 18 field goals (none from 3-point range).
• Spencer's nine 3-pointers had been accomplished three times previously - twice by Justin Woodworth (January 6 and January 31, 2009) and once by Windell Hinkson (February 24, 2011) - the latter also in a first-round CCC postseason game at Anna Maria where Hinkson also surpassed the 1,000-point milestone. Salve Regina won twice more in that postseason for a conference championship title.

Next Up
Salve Regina (8-10) returns to Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action when it hosts Western New England University in a 3 p.m. tip off on Saturday. Connecticut College (3-14) hosts Williams on Friday and Middlebury on Saturday in a NESCAC weekend twinbill.