Seahawks top Wildcats in Providence, 67-54

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior Kerri Beland (Attleboro, Mass.) scored a game-high 26 pooints to lead visiting Salve Regina University women's basketballl to a 67-54 victory over Johnson & Wales University at the Wildcat Center in non-league action. The Seahawks (3-6) outscored the Wildcats (1-7), 37-22, in the second half.

Salve Regina got out of the blocks fast, building a 16-5 lead at the 4:36 mark on a Brooke Vonasek Willington, Conn.) layup. Johnson & Wales worked its way back into the game in the second quarter. Dede Stevenson made a lay up to give JWU its first lead, 28-26, since the opening minutes of the first quarter.

The Wildcats went cold offensively in the third quarter, only scoring eight points. The Seahawks only made two more baskets than JWU, but they hit a trio of three-pointers.

Tiondra Hands made a layup 1:30 into the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 48-44, but the Wildcats wouldn't score for another three minutes as Salve Regina built a 55-44 lead.

The visitors took advantage of the free throw line, hitting 23-31 while the Wildcats were limited to 5-10.

Tara Murphy recorded the first double-double of her career with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Ally Mishol topped the Wildcats with 14 points.

Salve Regina got 90 percent of its scoring from its starters, including a game-high 26 points from Kerri Beland. Tori Scorpio (Cranston, R.I.) had 16 points and handed out five assists; Mary Rorke (Attleboro, Mass.) made half of team's 3-pointers (three of six) and finished with 13 points.