Garaban’s 16 Points Sends WNE Past Salve Regina in the CCC Quarterfinals

NEWPORT, R.I. (February 21, 2023) – The fifth seeded Western New England women's basketball team rode a 17-point second quarter and tough defense to get past the four seeded Seahawks of Salve Regina University on Tuesday night, taking down the Seahawks 62-50. 

Records:

• No. 5 Western New England: 13-13
• No. 4 Salve Regina: 16-10

How it Happened:
Western New England got the offense going early when Emma Kahn connected from deep to give the Golden Bears the first three points of the game. Both teams would connect with early scores as Salve Regina grabbed their first bucket of the game shortly after WNE when Briana Neary dropped a layup off the glass to get the Seahawks on the board. Salve and WNE would exchange the lead throughout the opening quarter of the QF game, with Abby Garaban leading the charge for the visiting team. Colleen Furlong dropped a jumper through the nets with 2:35 left in the quarter to give WNE a four-point lead while Lilly Hedge would connect on a layup and a free throw to give Western New England a five-point lead with 48 seconds left in the quarter. Salve would come back with five quick points to even the score at 21 after the first ten minutes. 

WNE would use their strong defense to get a lead heading into halftime. Shaina Cooney would connect on a layup just 51 seconds into the quarter. While Salve would drop a quick five points in the quarter, their offense would stagger grabbing just four points in the final nine minutes of the second while Western New England would continue to score. Abby Garaban, Lindsay Orbann, and Emma Novajasky would help the Golden Bears take a commanding 38-30 lead at the break. 

Salve Regina would get within four points again in the third quarter, though Western New England would deny the Seahawks' chance at getting back into the game. Emma Novajasky helped WNE get an eight-point lead back with a made layup. With under a minute left, the Seahawks would cut WNE's lead to four though a clutch jumper from Lindsey Carey would give WNE a six-point lead after three quarters of play. 

Erin Reen opened the fourth quarter with a triple for Western New England, though the Seahawks would not go down quietly. Salve's Briana and Sofia Neary would help the Seahawks get within three points with 5:59 remaining before Abby Garaban would break that run on a made jump shot from Colleen Furlong. Emma Elrod's made layup with 3:29 remaining would help Western New England gain ground, taking a nine-point lead again. Salve wouldn't be able to mount another close comeback as WNE's Abby Garaban would ice the game with two final free throws with under a minute to play to send the Golden Bears to a 62-50 win over the Seahawks, moving to the CCC Semifinal round. 

Inside the Numbers:

• Abby Garaban led the charge for WNE, scoring 16 points while also grabbing six rebounds, five assists and one steal. 
• Lindsey Carey (nine points), Emma Novajasky (seven points), and Emma Elrod (seven points), all helped guide the Golden Bears to victory. 
• WNE defeats Salve Regina for the second time this season, both on the road. 
• Briana Neary and Ashley Rourke combined for 35 of Salve's 50 points on the night. 
• WNE enters the CCC Semifinals for the first time since the 2019-2020 season. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE stays on the road for the CCC Semifinals and travels to top seeded Roger Williams University on Thursday, February 23 at 6:00 PM.