Seahawks Post 73-58 Win Over Salem State in Opener

SALEM, Mass. – Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.) scored 20 points and added nine rebounds and Megan Henaghan (Whitman, Mass.) posted 16 points with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots as Salve Regina opened the 2021-22 season with a 73-58 victory over Salem State at Twohig Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

The Vikings were led by Liz Zaiter (Peabody, Mass.), who produced a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Nicole Freddo (Marblehead, Mass.) scored nine points and secured six rebounds while forcing six turnovers. Irianis Delgado (Lynn, Mass.) contributed eight points and seven boards off the bench.

Salem State (0-1) built a 13-12 first quarter lead behind five points from Freddo . However, Salve Regina (1-0) took control, outscoring the Vikings 20-5 in the second quarter to build a 32-18 halftime advantage.

The Seahawks held Salem State without a point for over six minutes to start the second as five points from Gabby Sousa (Hudson, N.H.) and a pair of baskets by Henaghan gave Salve Regina a 25-13 lead with 3:54 remaining in the half. Morgan Shuey's three-pointer with .08 seconds left gave the Seahawks a 14-point advantage at the break.

Salve Regina built their largest lead of 22 points with a 40-18 advantage following a layup by Briana Neary (Wayne, N.J.). 10 quick points by Zaiter pulled Salem State to within 11 points, 51-40 late in the third quarter as the junior forward sparked the Vikings' offense.

Once again the Vikings went cold from the floor in the fourth, going 0-8 from behind the three-point arc as the Seahawks regained control. Two free throws by Shuey pushed the lead back to 17 points, 64-47 with 4:48 remaining as Salve Regina cruised to a 73-58 victory.