Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Massâ€"Sophomore Chelsea Vujs recorded a double-double by scoring a game-high 21 points and pulling down 10 rebounds to lead the Western New England University women's basketball team past Salve Regina University, 59-54, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference game at the Alumni Healthful Living Center field house on Wednesday. The Golden Bears advance to 10-14 overall (7-10 CCC) and the visiting Seahawks fall to 12-12 (10-7 CCC).
 
Senior co-captains Ali Pessolano (5 rebounds) and Katie Eckert (4 rebounds) chipped in nine and five points, respectively, to help the Golden Bears effort.
 
Salve Regina started the game on a 15-6 run, but the Golden Bears' strong defensive pressure cut the deficit and eventually tied the game at 23-23 to finish the first half. Kelsey Kennedy scored all seven of her points in the game during the opening 7 minutes and 14 seconds to propel the Seahawks to their biggest lead of the evening. 
 
Both teams traded buckets during the second half, but the Golden Bears came up with big stops to halt the Seahawks offense. Vujs made a 3-pointer from the right elbow to put WNE in the lead for good, 40-37, with 11:29 remaining.

Graduate student Nicole Daly (5 rebounds, 5 assists) drew an offensive foul with 6:29 left in the second half which ignited the Golden Bears and fueled them to close out the game. Western New England led 49-43 at the time.
 
The Golden Bears shot 41.2 percent from the floor on 21-of-51 field goals, while the Seahawks connected on 17-of-55 resulting in 30.9 percent.
 
The Golden Bears controlled the boards throughout the game, outrebounding the Seahawks 42-36. The Golden Bears also led in second-chance points with 12, compared to the Seahawks' two.
 
Western New England's bench outscored the Seahawks 20-0, led by sophomore Sarah Shields who dropped seven points with five rebounds in 17 minutes. Shields made a trey from the right wing to give the Golden Bears' their first lead of 20-19 at 3:57 in the first half, capping a 14-4 run at the time.
 
Junior Samantha McCann netted six points and grabbed six rebounds in 21 minutes to contribute to the Golden Bears attack.
 
Three Seahawks were in double-figures including Meghan Harden who scored 15 points, Marissa Pendergast (13 rebounds) chipped in 14, and Brianna Del Valle (11 rebounds) netted 13.
 
The Golden Bears face Endicott at home to close out the regular season in a CCC matchup on Saturday, honoring WNE's five seniors.