CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A 15-2 run during the third quarter helped Salve Regina University pull away before going on to defeat MIT, 82-61, in the final game of the NEWMAC women's basketball regular season on Saturday afternoon. Junior
Alice Hall (Ambler, Pa.) paced the Engineers' balanced attack with 12 points and collected eight rebounds while junior Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.) powered the Seahawks with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and three steals.
THE BASICS:
- Score: Salve Regina 82, MIT 61
- Records: MIT (11-14 Overall, 7-4 NEWMAC); Salve Regina (14-10 Overall, 7-4 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- In a closely played opening frame, a pair of free throws by sophomore Mariam Abdelbarr (Durham, N.C.) brought MIT within 22-18. However, a layup from sophomore Deanna Linscott (Pembroke, Mass.) created some breathing room for Salve Regina late in the quarter.
- The Seahawks maintained their small cushion in the second quarter, but a layup by senior Elise Harvey (Wayland, Mass.) sparked a 12-5 run that narrowed the gap to 40-39 after two free throws from junior Kaya Weiser (Villanova, Pa.) with 1:23 left. Neary replied with a jumper during the visitors' next trip down the court as they entered halftime with a slim lead.
- A layup by junior Brianna Lebrun (Hartford, Conn.) once again brought the Engineers within one point just 21 seconds into the third quarter. Neary responded with a bucket of her own, kicking off Salve Regina's pivotal 15-2 run that moved the score to 57-43 with 3:49 on the clock. A layup by Harvey ended MIT's scoring drought, but the Seahawks went on to build a 64-49 advantage at the end of the period.
- The Engineers opened the fourth quarter with a 7-3 burst which was bookended by baskets from Hall. However, Salve Regina countered with another 15-2 run that featured nine points from senior Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.) and put the game out of reach.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Weiser totaled 10 points and five rebounds while sophomore April Chan (Fremont, Calif.) tallied nine points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Lebrun and senior Sarah Berman (York, Pa.) both finished with nine points as Lebrun added six rebounds.
- Rourke and graduate student Amanda Folan (North Attleboro, Mass.) both posted 18 points while Rourke dished out five assists. Graduate student Hope Halvarson (Cranston, R.I.) registered 12 points and three assists.
UP NEXT:
- Both teams will continue their seasons in the NEWMAC Championship on Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 PM. As the No. 6 seed MIT will travel to No. 3 Springfield College while No. 5 Salve Regina will make the trip to No. 4 Emerson College.
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