Salve Regina defeats Gordon on Senior Day

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University women's basketball defeated Gordon College, 49-40, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at the Rodgers Recreation Center. The Seahawks (12-11, 9-7 CCC) had two players in double-figure scoring - junior Meaghan Harden (Sandwich, Mass.) and senior Brianna Del Valle (Belchertown, Mass.) - with the latter also finishing with her fifth double-double of the season. The Fighting Scots (3-20; 1-15 CCC) lost their sixth straight while featuring just six players in the lineup.

Del Valle and classmates Laura Anne Dinan (Monterey, Mass.) and Cortney Rosenlund (Whitinsville, Mass.) were honored by head coach Cori Hughes as part of the program's Senior Day.

Salve Regina built a quick 4-0 lead on baskets by Allyson Esielionis (Shirley, Mass.) and Del Valle. Gordon's Kristen Smith (Littleton, Mass.) and Olivia Vetere (Mahopac, N.Y.) gave the Scots a three-point lead after a 7-0 run in less than two minutes.

Esielionis and Mariel Barner (Colorado Springs, Colo.) exchanged jumpers before Harden connected on her first of four 3-pointers, tying the game at 9-9 with 14:10 left in the half.

Jillian Woodward's (Orono, Maine) layup gave the lead back to Salve Regina and Mary Eden (So. Kingstown, R.I.) followed with a layup during a 9-0 Seahawk run.

Harden's jumper and 3-pointer with under five minutes to play in the opening period gave Salve Regina its first double-digit lead, 24-14. Jenna Olson's (Rutland, Vt.) layup at 2:39 made for the last scoring of the half as the Seahawks went into the break up eight, 24-16.

Salve Regina had a nine to one advantage on the offensive glass in the first half, leading to six second-chance points.

Gordon scored six of the first eight points in the second half with baskets from Sophie Linnell (Richmond, Va.), Vetere, and Brooke Kratche (Chagrin Falls, Ohio). The Seahawks were able to produce a 13-5 run for their largest lead of the game, 39-27, with 8:22 left in the game. Dinan inbounded to Del Valle for one of her nine assists.

Three times the Scots closed within seven points but could get no closer. The Seahawks forced three shot-clock violations for their too-patient opponent.

Harden led all players with 19 points to maintain her league-leading scoring average. Del Valle had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Vetere led the visitors with 13 points.

Salve Regina hosts Western New England University on Tuesday night while Gordon returns to Wenham, Mass., for its final home game of the season to host Roger Williams.