Box Score GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds, both game-high totals, to lead the Salve Regina University Seahawks to a 67-57 win over the Husson University Eagles in the first game of the 2010 USM Tip Off Classic Friday night at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
The win is the second straight for the Seahawks who improve to 2-0. Husson falls to 0-1 with the loss in its season opener. Southern Maine defeated UMaine Farmington 88-51 in the second game.
Phillips was an outstanding 11-for-23 from the field to pace the Seahawks. Phillips added six steals and two assists. Senior forward Olivia Browning (Trumbull, Conn.) added eight points and five rebounds. Sophomore guard Kailtyn Birrell (Hope, R.I./Scituate) added six points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Three players scored in double figures for the Eagles, led by 13 points from senior guard Noelle Lincoln (Dixmont, Maine/Nokomis). Junior forward Brianna Hanscom (Mattawamkeag, Maine/Mattanawcook) added 12 points, while freshman forward Stephanie Comstock (Bangor, Maine) chipped in with 10 points off of the bench.
Paced by 17 first half points from Phillips, Salve Regina led the Eagles 39-27 at the half. But the Eagles clawed their way back into the game in the second half to trail Salve by nine, 64-55, with 2:26 to play. Down by 18, 58-40 with 7:53 on the clock the Beavers outscored the Seahawks 15-6 over the next five minutes led by eight points from Hanscom and six points from Lincoln.
The Seahawks were able to halt and thoughts of a Husson comeback, as Phillips connected on a tough layup with 2:22 to play to give her team a 66-55 lead. Over the final two minutes, Salve forced the Eagles into three turnovers and one of four shooting to seal the victory.
Salve Regina will face UMaine Farmington on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) in the third game of the 2010 USM Tip Off Classic. Husson University will face Southern Maine on Saturday (3:00 p.m.) in the final game of the tournament.
