NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University sophomore forward Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) finished with a game-high 26 points to lead the Seahawks to their fifth straight victory in a 75-72 triumph over Roger Williams University in The Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball action.
When freshman guard Elizabeth Kilzi (Waverly, Pa.) sank a 3-pointer with 11:06 remaining in the first half, Roger Williams (8-12; 4-4 TCCC) would enjoy its largest lead of the game at 20-14. Phillips responded with her first 3-pointer of the game 15 seconds later before Kilzi sank another following an offensive rebound from sophomore guard Danielle Perrault (Ridgefield, Conn.).
A layup by sophomore guard Ryan Weekes (Worcester, Mass.) put the visitors back up by six (29-23) before Salve Regina went on a 7-0 run with Phillips completing an old-fashioned three-point play. Phillips ended the half with a 3-pointer (and 19 total points) to knot the score at 37-37 at intermission.
Sophomore center Lindsay Shorey (Ashland, Mass.) scored the first points of the second half on a fast-break layup with an assist from Phillips and Salve Regina led the rest of the game. Shorey's layup with 4:22 remaining gave Salve Regina (12-7; 7-1 TCCC) its largest lead of the game at 70-60.
Perrault hit a 3-pointer with 51 ticks on the clock to pull the Hawks within three (73-70). Weekes followed with a pair of free throws with 21 seconds left and it was a one-point game (73-72). Salve Regina inbounded the ball in its backcourt and played keep away for 10 seconds before junior guard Meghan Averill (Newfields, N.H.) was fouled. Averill, who has a career .926 free-throw percentage, calmly sank both attempts from the charity stripe and clinched the victory for Salve Regina.
Weekes finished with 22 points for the Hawks and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Freshman forward Alexandria Lanieri (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) scored 14 while Kilzi added 11 points. Shorey (18 points; 13 rebounds) and junior forward Olivia Browning (Trumbull, Conn.) both finished with double-doubles (11 points and 12 rebounds for Browning). Freshman guard Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) dished out eight assists.
Salve Regina now owns a 42-8 mark in its all-time series with Roger Williams. The Seahawks travel to Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., on Saturday, while the Hawks host University of New England.
- Release courtesy of the Salve Regina University Sports Information Department