Seahawks swish seven threes to win by eight, 59-51 over Colonels

MILTON, Mass. – The Salve Regina University women's basketball team picked up a 59-51 final over Curry College on Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at the Katz Gymnasium.

Kerri Beland guided the Seahawks (11-9, 8-6 CCC) with an 18-point, four-rebound, two assist and two block effort. Emily Irwin (Billerica, Mass.) led Curry (11-10, 7-7 NECC) with a season-high 30 points.

After Molly Plunkett (Quincy, Mass.) opened the game scoring with a three, Salve Regina responded with eight straight points that came by way of threes by Beland and Ally Esielionis (Shirley, Mass.) to grab a five point lead, 8-3. The Seahawks then closed the quarter, outscoring the Colonels 8-1 over the final 5:16 as the visitors held an 18-9 advantage at the end of one period.

Curry woke up offensively, outscoring the guests 11-7 in the second to cut the deficit to five at 25-20 into halftime. Nicole Rice (Woburn, Mass.) led all first-half scorers with eight points on 4-of-8 shooting. Beland led Salve Regina with seven first-half points on 3-of-5 shooting while four other Seahawks finished the first half with three points apiece.

Curry was able to cut the Salve Regina lead to just two at 36-34 with 2:33 remaining in the third and with two free throws by Irwin was able to tie the contest at 36. Three straight points in the final 42 seconds of the frame would give the Colonels a 39-38 lead after 30 minutes of play.

Irwin rallied the home team back again in the fourth, eventually tying the game at 42-42 after a free throw with 7:18 left in regulation. The Seahawks were able to respond, outscoring Curry 17-9 over the rest of the period to take home the eight-point victory.

Curry will next play on Wednesday, February 7 as they will welcome in Western New England for a 7:30 p.m. conference contest. Salve Regina will host Nichols on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.