NEWPORT, R.I. - Senior Ally Esielionis (Shirley, Mass.) scored a career-high 23 points to lead all players as Salve Regina University women's basketball defeated Curry College, 68-49, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup at the Rodgers Recreation Center. Esielionis' previous career high was 20 points on December 6, 2016, in a loss to Roger Williams at home. Esielionis made 11 of 17 field goals and also finished with five rebounds. Classmate Mary Eden (So. Kingstown, R.I.) posted a double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds whille adding 13 points.

Series and Streaks

Salve Regina leads the all-time series, 48-19, and ends Curry's win streak in the series at two games (sweep last season). The Colonels had won four of the previous six meetings. Salve Regina improves to 5-1 at home in 2017-18.

Three Stars of the Game

Salve Regina senior Ally Esielionis (Shirley, Mass.) was in double digit points by halftime (11) as the Seahawks led by 11, 33-22. The senior forward finished with her career best 23 points on 11 of 17 from the floor.

Salve Regina senior Mary Eden (So. Kingstown, R.I.) posted a double double with 10 rebounds and 13 points; she added five assists and three steals.

Curry junior Emily Irwin (Billerica, Mass.) led the Colonels with 19-point effort in 39 minutes.

Key Stat of the Game

Salve Regina made 13 of 14 (92.9%) from the free throw line while the Colonels missed 13 of 24 (45.8%) attempts from the charity stripe.

Turning Point

Salve Regina junior Lauryn Becker (Hanover, Mass.) hit a layup at 4:44 left in first quarter that forged the fifth (and final) tie of the game (10-10). It also started an 11-4 run for the Seahawks in just over six minutes of play. Sophomore Torie Scorpio (Cranston, R.I.) had a layup and her only 3-pointer during the run. Eden and Esielionis had a layup and jumper, respectively.

Quick Hits

Junior Kerri Beland (Attleboro, Mass.) had a pair of 3-pointers among her three field goals, and went 3-for-3 from the line, to finish with 11 points.

Senior Nicole Rice (Woburn, Mass.) was the only other Colonel to reach double digits in points (10) with four field goals and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

Freshman Gina Coote (Dedham, Mass.) scored four seconds after the opening tip off, and finished with eight points.

Coote and Molly Plunkett (Quincy, Mass.) led the Colonels in rebounds with seven apiece.

Becker had seven boards for the Seahawks.

Next Up

Salve Regina (6-4, 3-1 CCC) hosts five-time defending conference champion University of New England on Saturday, January 6, at 1 p.m. Curry (6-5, 2-2 CCC) returns home to face Roger Williams University in a 1 p.m. tip off in Milton, Mass. on Saturday.

(Game Recap Courtesy of Salve Regina University Sports Information)