WESTON, Mass.—Following a day of rest, the Regis College women's basketball team will hold its first practice of the week Monday before visiting conference opponent Salve Regina University Tuesday.
Regis College (6-6, 0-1 TCCC) dropped a 68-65 nail-bitter to Colby-Sawyer Saturday. An unexpected loss for Regis College, the Pride defeated the Chargers in a similar close game last season. Tuesday's The Commonwealth Coast Conference game will be a true test for Regis College.
Breaking Down Salve Regina
The Seahawks (9-3, 1-0 TCCC) are ranked No.10 in the TCCC in scoring offense (55.6 Avg/G), while taking the top spot in scoring defense allowing just 49.7 points per game. In comparison, Regis College tallies 66.1 points per game (5), and allows just 57.5 points per game (8).
Salve Regina recently defeated conference opponent Anna Maria 79-34. The Seahawks held Anna Maria to its lowest point total of the season. As a team, Salve Regina is shooting just shy of 33 percent from the field, and second to last in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (.234). Defensively the Seahawks are among the top five in steals averaging 15.7 (2), and leads the conference in turnover margin (+7.09).
Salve's Erin Phillips holds the fourth spot in scoring (16.4 PPG), while shooting just under 40 percent from the field (.395), and averaging 10.4 rebounds per game. Phillips also leads the team with 12 blocks, and scored a team-high 27 points twice this season.
In conclusion, Salve Regina has been a consistent program on both sides of the ball each year. They are ranked in the top five of many of the most noted offensive and defensive categories, and due to its experience, seven seniors, holds an advantage over programs with younger talent. The Seahawks could win if they are consistent in forcing Regis College to turn the ball over, get Phillips a number of shots, and keep Regis' experienced players from scoring.
How Regis College Compares and Differs
A surprising opening conference loss to Colby-Sawyer should have Regis College looking for a team to take out its vengeance upon. Sorry Seahawks.
"We didn't execute late in the game, make the appropriate adjustments, and made poor shot selections," said head coach Julie Plant.
Four different Pride members tallied double figures in points, with Claire Ramonas and Sarah McNult each registering double-double performances.
McNult had 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Ramonas chimed in with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Stephanie Crawford had 12 points. Brittany White had 13 points for Regis College, and shot well from the field (.400) and free throw line (.714).
Regis College had its third lowest turnover (12) game of the season, marking its first loss when committing fewer than 15 turnovers as a team.
Going into its Salve Regina game, Plant considers containing Phillips and limiting her touches with the ball to be a priority. As Regis College has the advantage with its athleticism, it will have to be utilized more against the Seahawks defense.
As a team, Regis College ranks in the top 10 of the conference in scoring offense and defense. Averaging 66.1 points per game gives Regis the fifth best scoring offense, while giving up just 57.5 points per game as a defense ranks eighth. Regis also has the third best rebounding offensive marking 45.6 rebounds per game. McNult leads the conference with 129 rebounds in 10 games.
McNult is ranked ninth nationally with her 12.9 RPG average. Also, her eight double-double performances rank her 15th in the nation. In her last three games she has averaged 13.0 RPG.
In conclusion, Regis College should get out and attack the Salve Regina defense early, take advantage of Regis' prowess on the boards, and utilize its talents. Crawford, McNult, and Ramonas are talented trio while White certainly brings a complementary list of talents to the mix. If Regis keeps Phillips from seeing any good shots, basically challenging every shot, the Pride could be 1-1 at games end.