Salve Regina University men’s basketball snapped a two-game losing streak with a 77-74 victory over Emerson College on Tuesday night at the Rodgers Recreation Center.
The Seahawks (13-5, 6-3 NEWMAC) got game-high 18 points apiece from Sean Seymour and Pat Spenard, while Rowan Linder provided a spark off the bench with a season-best 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor.
Jack McMullen added 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds for Salve Regina, which had four players finish in double figures.
The first half featured frequent lead changes, with the Seahawks taking a 40-36 advantage into the break. Emerson (7-12, 3-7 NEWMAC) battled back in the second half, outscoring Salve Regina 38-37, but the Seahawks held on down the stretch with clutch free throws and defensive stops.
Guillermo Gasset Ruiz led the Lions with 16 points while Linus Helmhold added 15. Emerson shot 48.1% from the field and 42.3% from three-point range but has now dropped nine of its last 10 games.
“Our guys have been very good in close games all season and it is the direct result of the great character and grit our upperclassmen possess,” Salve Regina head coach Sean Foster said. “Our bench provided a great boost, and we had many contributors to tonight’s win.”
The win gives Salve Regina a sweep of the regular-season series against Emerson. The Seahawks are 16-3 all-time against the Lions.
Salve Regina returns to action Saturday with a 3 p.m. home game against MIT.
