Blue Fall in Close Game to Salve Regina, 57-49

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Wellesley College basketball lost a competitive 57-49 game to Salve Regina on Wednesday at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas as part of the D3hoops.com Classic.

The Seahawks (7-2) were led by junior Briana Neary (Wayne, N.J.) who recorded a 25 point and 10 rebound double-double while sophomore Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.) added 13 points. Junior Anna Greenthal (Orinda, Calif.) scored eight points for the Blue (5-6) and seven total Wellesley players recorded at least five points. 

The Blue opened the game with a pair of made free throws from senior Pujita Shukla (Austin, Texas.). Salve Regina scored seven of the next eight points, with five coming from Neary. The Seahawks maintained their lead for the rest of the first quarter, leading 14-9 after the stanza with seven points coming from Neary. 

The Seahawks expanded their lead to eight at 17-9 on a three pointer from Rourke. Neary paced the offense for SRU in the second quarter while the Blue had an even scoring distribution, cutting the lead to 27-20 on a jumper and made free throw from Shukla. Salve Regina led 30-22 at the half with Neary scoring 14 and Rourke adding nine points of her own. 

The teams traded baskets early in the third with first year Shannon Li (Los Altos, Calif.) scoring a pair of baskets for the Blue while senior Rachel Shurberg (Fairfax, Va.) snatched four rebounds. A made Wellesley buzzer-beater by Greenthal cut Salve's lead to 44-37 at the end of the quarter. 

The Blue came into the fourth on a mission, scoring the first five points to cut the lead to 44-42 on a bucket from Greenthal. Salve Regina brought their lead back to six at 53-47 with baskets from Rourke and Neary. The Seahawks never let the game get back within five points on their way to a 57-49 victory.

The Blue will play their second game of the D3hoops.com Classic at 5:00 PM EST tomorrow against SUNY Oneonta. The Seahawks will take on Concordia-Moorehead tomorrow at 3:00 PM EST.