Salve Regina steals road contest at Gordon, 81-66

WENHAM, Mass.—A big third-quarter effort allowed Salve Regina to steal a road contest at Gordon. The Seahawks broke open a five-point game in the second half and never trailed over the final 25 minutes to hand Gordon an 81-66 loss on a snowy Saturday afternoon at the Bennett Athletic Center.

Fresh off a tough shooting night at Endicott on Thursday, Gordon found its groove much faster in the first half against Salve Regina. The Fighting Scots and Seahawks each used a patient, efficient offensive approach to keep the game within striking distance on both sides.

With Gordon leading 11-7, Salve Regina went on a 14-2 run which was spurred on both its lockdown press in three-quarter court. The Seahawks turned the Scots over on four consecutive possessions to build up its largest lead of the half at 21-13. Gordon was able to score five straight points, including a triple atop the key by Kristen Smith (Littleton, Mass.) to creep back within three points before Salve nailed two free throws to take a five-point lead after the first quarter.

The Seahawks extended their lead back to three possessions at the start of the second, but Gordon's offense rounded into form with a 13-3 run to grab a 31-28 advantage with five minutes to go in the first half. However, Salve's pressure created issues once again down the stretch and helped the Seahawks hold a 42-37 lead at the break.

Salve Regina quickly extended its lead to double-digits coming out of halftime and Gordon was never able to get closer than seven points for the rest of regulation.

The visitors were led by sophomore Kerri Beland (Attleboro, Mass.) who scored 24 points and grabbed five boards in a complete-game effort. Coming off an injury, senior center Jillian Woodward came off the bench to score 14 points and block two shots. Rookie starter Tori Scorpio (Cranston, R.I.) scored 12 points, secured six rebounds and dished out four assists. She also had a team-high three steals. Sophomore forward Tara Burke (Londonderry, N.H.) had 11 points and was perfect from the line. Junior Mary Eden had a team best nine rebounds and eight assists.

Salve Regina outrebounded the Scots 38-32 as a team after trailing in the category at halftime. The Seahawks broke a five-game winless drought in the conference to begin the season in the process.

Freshman Alisha Henderson (Oregon City, Ore.) led the Fighting Scots in scoring with 19, with Brooke Dyson (Houston, Texas) not far behind with 17 points. Jess Ryan (Milford, N.H.) made only one shot from the floor, but was 7-for-7 at the charity stripe to contribute nine points.

Salve Regina (3-10) will look to keep things rolling when they welcome Endicott on Wednesday evening. Gordon (5-8, 3-3 CCC) will have another stiff test when they head to Biddeford, Maine to take on reigning conference champion UNE on the same day.