Salve Regina Extends Past Fitchburg State, 87-33
Schneider and Leveillee combine for 15 points and 12 board for Falcons
NEWPORT, R.I. – Fitchburg State suffered a tough 87-33 setback to the Seahawks of Salve Regina University in non-conference women's basketball action this afternoon at the Rodgers Recreation Center.
Fitchburg State was led by senior forward Erica Schneider with eight points, eight boards, one steal and one block, while classmate Stephanie Leveillee finished with seven points, four caroms, two blocks and a steal.
For the Seahawks, senior guard Meaghan Harden registered game-best 19 points, six steals, three rebounds, two assists and a block, while freshman guard Kerri Beland chipped in with 12 points in addition to five boards, two assists and a pair of steals.
Follow a basket by Leveille, Salve Regina proceeded to go on a 18-0 run as Beland knocked down a pair of free throws and a layup, while sophomore guard Mary Eden capped the run with shot from beyond the arc.
The Falcons ended the first quarter with a 5-0 run on a basket by Schneider, a jumper from junior guard Melissa Gugielmello and free throw by junior Shabelli Villa to cut the deficit to 18-7 after ten minutes of play.
Salve Regina extended its lead to 40-7, going on a 22-0 stretch, Harden led the charge, scoring 13 of her 19 points over the run. Fitchburg State ended the run with a pair of free throw by freshman Samantha Holey as the hosts took a 48-15 margin into the locker room.
Following the break, Beland buried a shot from three point range to open the second half as the Seahawks went on a 10-1 run to take 58-16 with 5:29 remaining in the quarter before Gugielmello sank a pair of shots for the Falcons to close out the stanza.
In the fourth quarter, Fitchburg State cut into the lead, going on a 6-0 run on a pair of buckets by Leveille and a basket from freshman guard Hannah Keohan to make score 75-30. The hosts sealed the victory, ending the contest on 17-3 streak, resulting in the 87-33 final.
Throughout the game, Fitchburg State shot just 22.0% (9-for-41) from the field, while going 14-for-24 (58.3%) from the charity stripe. Salve Regina finished 44.3% (31-for-70), while connecting on 21-of-25 (84.0%) shots from the free-throw line.
Fitchburg State (0-5, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to the hardwood on Tuesday as it travels to UMass Boston for a contest starting at 5:30 p.m. Salve Regina (1-3, 0-0 TCCC) will visit UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. tipoff.