Seahawks defeat Lancers, 74-61

WORCESTER, Mass. (Saturday, December 9, 2023) -- Salve Regina University women's basketball made more than half of its attempts from beyond the arc and defeated Worcester State University, 74-61, in a non-league meeting on Saturday afternoon at Brissette Court.

Salve Regina (4-7, 0-0 NEWMAC) outscored Worcester State (1-9, 0-0 MASCAC) in every quarter but the final period. The Seahawks featured four double-digit scorers led by a career-high 29 points from sophomore Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.). Senior captain, and Sofia's sister, Briana Neary (Wayne, N.J.) added 20 points on 7-of-10 from the floor including her only 3-point attempt and five free throws. Graduate student and captain Morgan Shuey (Corning, Iowa) logged the entire 40 minutes on the floor and dished out eight assists.

Seahawk senior Amanda Folan (North Attleboro, Mass.) and junior Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.) added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 74, Worcester State 61
Records: Salve Regina (4-7, 0-0 NEWMAC), Worcester State (1-9, 0-0 MASCAC)
All-Time Series: Today was the first-ever meeting between the Seahawks and the Lancers on the hardwood outside of pre-season scrimmages.

SUMMARY

• 1Q - Briana Neary started the scoring with a layup and at 7:31 hit a 3-pointer to break a 6-6 tie as Salve Regina led the rest of the way. Briana scored nine points in the quarter including 4-of-4 from the line. Sofia Neary made three field goals for six points. | Salve Regina 21, Worcester State 15
• 2Q - Sofia Neary (6) and Amanda Folan (5) combined for 11 of the 15 Seahawk points. Folan had a 3-pointer under two minutes remaining with an assist from Olivia Martin. The Seahawks limited the Lancers to two of 13 field goal attempts (15.4 percent). | Salve Regina 36, Worcester State 23
• 3Q - Salve Regina made 60 percent of its field goal attempts (9-of-15) with Sofia Neary netting 11 points. Sofia Neary and Ashley Rourke both had a 3-pointer in the quarter. | Salve Regina 56, Worcester State 39
• 4Q - Katie Hurynowicz scored 12 of her team-high 24 points. Briana Neary made all three of her field goal attempts. | Salve Regina 74, Worcester State 61

NOTEWORTHY

• In three of her last five games, Sofia Neary has raised her career high for points scored (25 against Mitchell, 27 against Connecticut Col., 29 at Worcester State).
• Briana Neary scored 20 (or more) for the third time this season.
• Morgan Shuey (eight assists today) has seven or more assists in six of her 10 games played this season.
• Ashley Rourke has scored in double-digits nine times this season and Amanda Folan now has six games with double figures.
• Salve Regina made 6-of-11 treys for 54.5 shooting long range.

ON THE HORIZON
Salve Regina breaks for the semester final exams and Christmas before playing a pair of games in the Florida Sunshine Shootout on December 29 (versus Husson University) and December 30 (versus Hamline University) in Daytona Beach, Florida, at the Ocean Center.