Comeback Falls Short for Women’s Basketball at Salve

NEWPORT, R.I. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team erased a 20-point second half deficit but fell just short on Tuesday night, dropping a non-conference game against Salve Regina University 74-70 at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

After trailing 27-20 at half, and by 20 points on three separate occasions during the third quarter, the Mariners battled back and were able to tie the game with under two minutes remaining. The Seahawks bent yet refused to break down the stretch, never allowing Mitchell to gain a lead, and held on for the four-point victory, their third of the season. With the loss, the Mariners dropped one game under .500 at 2-3, as they are set to begin GNAC play with their next game.

Senior forward Yasmine Santos (Pawtucket, R.I.) finished in double-figures scoring for the fifth straight game to begin the season, pouring in a team-high 23 points to go along with seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Fellow senior Jermia Dumas (Bridgeport, Conn.) eclipsed the 20-point mark for the third time in five games, finishing with 20 points, six rebounds, and four steals, while sophomore Jamya Beddoe (New London, Conn.) logged a season-high 16 points and three steals.

Playing from behind, the Mariners trailed by 20 points on three separate occasions in the third quarter; with 5:37 on the clock, 4:02 on the clock, and 2:14 on the clock. Mitchell was able to close out the stanza on a 9-4 run, and trailed 59-43 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

The Mariners made it a 10-point game when Santos converted on a layup one minute and 15 seconds into the fourth quarter, and hung tight, eventually making it a five-point game when Dumas made a layup with four minutes left. Just over two minutes later, Dumas tied the game at 70-70 when she nailed a jump shot following a turnover by Salve's Amanda Folan. Unfortunately, that would be as close as the comeback would come for the visiting squad, as Morgan Shuey put the home team up 73-70 with a shot from long range with just 43 seconds to go. The Mariners were unable to make either of their final two shots, while Shuey converted one final free throw, sealing the win for the Seahawks.

Sofia Neary paced Salve with a game-high 25 points and 15 rebounds. Neary added five blocks, four assists, and a pair of steals, while Amanda Folan (15 points), Ashley Rourke (12 points, seven assists, five rebounds), and Olivia Martin (10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals) joined her in double-figures.

The Mariners shot a season-high 45.2% from the floor and 33.3% from three-point range, yet were just 10-21 from the charity stripe. The Seahawks won the rebounding battle 47-36, handed out 11 more assists than Mitchell, and committed two fewer turnovers.

The Mariners (2-3, 0-0 GNAC) will open up conference play when they return to action on Saturday, December 2nd, with a home game against Lasell University at 3:00 pm. Salve (3-4, 0-0 CCC) jumps back into action on Thursday, November 30th, with a non-conference game against Framingham State.