Jen Ashton rifles a pass to Gabby Felix in the paint. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Sophomore guard Meaghan Harden had game highs of 29 points and 11 rebounds to lead Salve Regina University to a 72-68 overtime victory over Westfield State University in non-conference women’s basketball on Saturday.
Salve Regina, 2-1, also received strong efforts from junior forward Brianna Del Valley (20 points, 8 rebounds) of nearby Belchertown, and senior forward Marissa Pendergast (17 points, 11 rebounds). The trio accounted for 66 of the Seahawks’ 72 points.
The Seahawks rallied for the road victory as they overcame a seven-point deficit, 55-48, with 6:13 remaining. Salve Regina trailed by five, 57-52, at the 4:26 mark when it went on an 8-0 run, capped by a Harden 3-point basket, to take a 60-57 lead with 1:17 remaining.
Westfield junior guard Jen Ashton drained a 22 footer from the top of the key to tie the score at 60-all at the 54-second mark. Del Valle sank two free throws with 31 seconds remaining then the Owls’ Tayler Travis countered with two free throws at the 17-second mark to send the game into overtime.
Salve did have a shot to win the game in regulation but the made layup attempt came a split second after the final horn.
Westfield’s Forbasaw Nkamebo battles Salve Regina’s Brianna Del Valle for a rebound. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
Westfield, 2-2, took a 68-66 lead on a Gabby Felix layup with 2:57 remaining in overtime. Salve Regina tied the score for a third time in the OT and the 10th time in the game on two free throws by Lisa Bucci. The Seahawks took the lead for good, 70-68, with 1:58 remaining on a layup by Del Valle, then canned two free throws in the final 22 seconds.
Salve Regina led early in the second half, 36-30, then Westfield took a 39-38 lead on a Felix layup at the 16:52 mark. Salve Regina went scoreless over a five-minute stretch as Westfield pulled ahead 51-45 with 8:38 remaining.
Four players scored in double figures for the Owls, led by sophomore guard Keri Doldoorian’s 15 points. Ashton scored 14 points and reserve forward Forbasaw Nkamebo had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Felix also posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams only shot 50 percent from the foul line – Westfield was 9 for 18, Salve Regina 13 for 26. Salve Regina shot 43 percent from the field and outrebounded Westfield, 52-42, but the Seahawks committed 23 turnovers.
