Salve Regina University men’s basketball rallied from a three-point halftime deficit Thursday night to defeat Clark University 67-61 in the quarterfinals of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference Championships, earning the program’s first-ever NEWMAC postseason victory.
The third-seeded Seahawks (19-7, 11-5 NEWMAC) shot 57.1% from the field in the second half and converted 18-of-22 free throw attempts for the game to overcome a Clark team that had entered the night 11-0 all-time against Salve Regina.
“Our staff could not be more proud of our group,” said Salve Regina head coach Sean Foster. “Clark is a tremendously talented team with excellent coaching, and they play so hard and challenge you in so many ways. I thought our guys did a great job bouncing back after runs and played much better in the second half tonight.”
Senior Sean Seymour led four Seahawks in double figures with 18 points. Domenic Malvey added 15 points, five assists and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Jack McMullen posted his third double-double of the season with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, and Zavier Francoeur contributed 11 points.
Clark freshman Aliaun Iscandari was the standout performer of the night, leading all scorers with 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting. But it wasn’t enough for the Cougars, who finish the season on a seven-game losing streak with a 12-14 record.
Salve Regina trailed by as many as eight points in the first half before Clark took a 25-22 lead into the break. The Seahawks outscored the Cougars 45-36 in the second half to seal the win.
“All year our players have been tough and unselfish,” Foster said. “I’m so pleased for our seniors Sean Seymour and Jack McMullen who continue to improve and represent the university so well.”
The Seahawks now face a quick turnaround, traveling to take on second-seeded Babson College in the NEWMAC semifinals Friday at 7:30 p.m. Babson, which last played Saturday in a 98-64 rout of Salve Regina, has been idle since clinching the No. 2 seed.