Seahawks move to 3-0 witn win over UMaine Farmington 58-48

GORHAM, Maine - Sophomore guard Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) scored a team-high 13 points to lead three players in double figures as the Salve Regina Seahawks held off the UMaine Farmington Beavers 58-48 in the third game of the USM Tip Off Classic Saturday afternoon at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.

The win is the third straight for the Seahawks who improve to 3-0. The Beavers drops their second straight to open their season at 0-2.

Birrell and senior forward Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) each earned a spot on the All-Classic team. Phillips added 10 points, four rebounds and two steals, while junior guard Kira Murphy (New Boston, N.H.) added 11 points.

Senior forward Jillian Ross (Belfast, Maine) led the Beavers with 13 points, five rebounds and a pair of steals. Ross represented the Beavers on the All-Classic team. Sophomore forward Kenni Norton (Strong, Maine) added 10 points and five rebounds.

The Seahawks led UMF 29-20 after the first half, as Phillips scored all 10 of her points before the break. Despite shooting 42.1 percent (8-for-19) from the field in the first half, the Beavers were hampered by 20 first half turnovers.

To start the second half, Salve Regina's Murphy drained a three to quickly give the Seahawks a 12-point advantage, 32-20 with 19:45 on the clock. UMaine Farmington chipped the Seahawk lead to five points four times over the next seven minutes, but were unable to get any closer the rest of the half. Salve Regina's press thwarted any comeback attempts by the Beavers forcing 33 turnovers for the game.

Salve Regina hosts Roger Williams University on Tuesday (6:00 p.m.). UMaine Farmington is at Colby College on Tuesday (6:00 p.m.).

Courtesy of Southern Maine sports information