NEWPORT, R.I. – Senior Meaghan Harden (Sandwich, Mass.) netted a game-high 19 points as the Salve Regina women's basketball team held off a late Wentworth rally to earn a 50-47 decision in a Commonwealth Coast Conference contest played at the Rodgers Recreation Center.
With the win the Seahawks snap a two-game losing streak, improving to 5-10 overall and 4-4 in CCC play while the Leopards fall to 4-10 (1-7).
Salve Regina took a 6-3 lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter on a three pointer from sophomore Allyson Esielionis (Shirley, Mass.) and would extend its lead to as many as eight twice; once when Harden converted a three-point play with 5:03 left and then freshman Kerri Beland (Attleboro, Mass.) closed out the first quarter with a layup.
The Seahawks opened the second quarter on a 7-1 run, capped off by a Harden three pointer with 6:55 left to extend their lead to 14 with 6:55 to play. Wentworth would hold the Seahawks without a point for the final 4:49 of the half and cut the deficit to 29-23 at the break.
Senior Rachael Camara (Fall River, Mass.) had four of Wentworth's first six points in the third quarter as the Leopards trailed, 33-29, with 4:54 remaining. However, Salve Regina responded with a 7-0 run to take a 40-29 lead with 3:16 to play in the third quarter and would lead by 13 (44-31) after three quarters of play.
Wentworth was held without a field goal for the first 2:42 of the fourth quarter, however used an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to four after senior Carly Rogers (Scarborough, Maine) hit two free throws with 4:59 left. The Seahawks built their lead back to seven before Rogers scored five straight points and pulled the Black & Gold within a pair with 1:26 left.
The Leopards had three fouls to give in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, and, after a missed basket, used all three then fouled Harden with 16 seconds left. Harden would hit one of two which made it a three-point game. Off the miss the Leopards called time out to set up a final play and got a great look at a game-tying three, however the shot rimmed out as time expired.
Esielionis recorded a double-double for the Seahawks, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while blocking four shots. Junior Jillian Woodward (Orono, Maine) also had 10 rebounds for Salve Regina, which held Wentworth to 22.9 percent shooting from the floor and had a 40-32 rebounding edge.
Camara led the Leopards with 17 points to go along with four steals while Rogers had 15 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
Both teams continue CCC play on Tuesday night. Salve Regina is at Nichols while Wentworth hosts Gordon.
