Salve Regina runs streak against Regis to 20 straight wins

NEWPORT, R.I. (Thursday, January 4, 2024) -- Salve Regina University women's basketball had an 18-point lead evaporate over the last four minutes of the third quarter and led by just one (63-62) after Bella George (Lynnfield, Mass.) opened the final quarter with a layup for visiting Regis College. Thanks to a 13-point fourth quarter from junior Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.), the Seahawks held on for a 10-point win (86-76) over the Pride in the 48th meeting between the two schools, and 10th at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 86, Regis 76
Records: Salve Regina (6-8, 0-0 NEWMAC), Regis (2-10, 1-1 GNAC)
All-Time Series: The Seahawks entered the 48th all-time meeting with the Pride with a 30-17 mark against Regis including the last 19 times in a row. In the last meeting between the two programs (Sat., Nov. 15, 2014, at Weston, Mass.), then-junior Meaghan Harden scored a school-record 45 points in the season opener, a 66-60 win, and became the fastest Seahawk to reach the 1,000-point milestone (finishing her career with program-best 1,945 points). The Seahawks have won all 10 meetings at the Rodgers Recreation Center on their Newport campus.

SUMMARY

• 1Q - Courtney Doherty made a pair of free throws for the first points of the period one minute in, for the Pride's only lead. Sofia Neary's baseline jumper evened the score 10 seconds later and Briana Neary's layup after a turnover had the Seahawks on top the rest of the way. The Nearys accounted for more than half of the Seahawks' points in the period (Sofia had eight and Briana had seven) while Olivia Martin came off the bench to contribute seven points. Martin's 3-pointer before the buzzer gave the Seahawks a 14-point cushion. Salve Regina shot over 52 percent (10-of-19) in the opening stanza. | Salve Regina 29, Regis 15
• 2Q - Marissa Forino's free throws in the final minute gave Salve Regina a one-point margin (16-15) in the period. Forino led all players with seven points in the frame including one of two Seahawk 3-pointers (senior Amanda Folan had the other trey). Folan and Briana Neary combined for 10 rebounds (both with five) with all of Neary's on the defensive side. Both teams enjoyed a 9-0 scoring run in the quarter. Salve Regina benefitted from 10 second-chance points with eight offensive caroms. | Salve Regina 45, Regis 30
• 3Q - Briana Neary's jumper outside the paint at 4:20 peaked the Seahawks' lead at 18 points (59-41). Madi Zancan scored the next four points on a jumper in the paint and two from the charity stripe. Courtney Doherty had the next four on free throws and a fast break layup following a Seahawk turnover. Zancan led all players with 11 points in the third. After Morgan Shuey's free throws with 99 seconds remaining, the Pride finished the period on a 9-0 run; the run carried over to the final period before Ashley Rourke carried the Seahawks to victory. | Salve Regina 63, Regis 60
• 4Q - Ashley Rourke followed Bella George's layup with two of her own. Rourke had a steal and a layup at 4:28 for a 10-point Seahawk lead (78-68). The junior swing player finished the period with 13 points on five-of-six from the floor including one 3-pointer and two-for-two from the line. Briana Neary led all players with six rebounds, three on each end. Both offenses were productive close to the rim, with 14 points each in the paint. | Salve Regina 86, Regis 76

NOTEWORTHY

• Ashley Rourke and Madi Zancan led their respective teams with 22 points each.
• Courtney Doherty added 20 for the visitors and Kailyn Smith poured in 10 points off the bench.
• Both Neary sisters finished with double-doubles -- Sofia had 16 points and 14 rebounds while Briana grabbed a game-high 17 boards and chipped in 14 points.
• Salve Regina won the overall rebounding battle, 56 to 33.
• With 23 offensive caroms, the Seahawks also had a 29-3 dominance in second-chance points.

QUOTING COACH HUGHES and ASHLEY ROURKE on X

#ICYMI @salvewbb head coach Cori Hughes credits junior Ashley Rourke for helping secure non-league win with her 13-point 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/YZoObkETGr

— Salve Regina Sports (@SalveAthletics) January 5, 2024

ON THE HORIZON
Salve Regina hosts Mount Holyoke College on Saturday, January 13, 2024, marking the first ever NEWMAC contest for Seahawk women's basketball at the Rodgers Recreation Center (1 p.m.).