BRUNSWICK – Bowdoin broke open a close game by sinking its first five 3-point shots in the second half to roll to a 74-64 victory against Salve Regina in the first round of an NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament Friday night at Morrell Gymnasium.

The Polar Bears play Mount St. Mary at 7 p.m. today, with the winner advancing to the final 16. Mount St. Mary defeated Emmanuel 73-50 Friday night.

“We just wanted to come out really strong in the second half and try to extend our lead, pull away right from the start,” said Bowdoin’s Amy Hackett, a senior guard from Bangor who hit back-to-back 3-pointers early in the crucial second-half run.

The first four 3-pointers helped fuel a 16-4 to surge, propelling the Polar Bears (23-5) to a 45-29 lead less than four minutes into the second half.

“I think what really hurt us is when they came out in the second half and hit those five 3s,” Salve Regina Coach Cori Hughes said. “The tide turned a little bit in the first half, but I felt pretty good going into the locker room (at halftime).”

The Polar Bears finished the first half with a 7-2 run to move into a 31-25 lead. Bowdoin limited the Seahawks to one basket over the last five minutes of the half.

The score was tied or the lead changed hands nine times during the first 12 minutes.

“At halftime, we really talked about having to really to pick up our defensive intensity because that’s what starts to get us into our offense and let us control the game,” Hackett said.

The Polar Bears led by as many as 22 points twice during the second half.

“They really were collapsing a lot after we hit a few shots,” said Kaitlin Donahue, a sophomore point guard who scored 13 points and had a game-high nine assists. “They drew in their defense and it was easier to find the open post (player), open shooter.”

Nicole Coombs, a 6-foot forward, led Bowdoin with 15 points. Hackett and Colleen Sweeney each scored 13, and Alexa Barry added 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Erin Phillips scored 22 points for Salve Regina.

The Polar Bears played without Jill Henrikson, a junior guard from Bath averaging 11.5 points and the team’s best 3-point shooter. Henrikson suffered a mild concussion last Sunday during a 72-37 loss to Amherst in the New England Small College Athletic Conference championship game.

“She’s a real leader for us in so many ways, a real emotional leader, so everybody wanted to up their intensity for her,” Bowdoin Coach Adrienne Shibles said. “I was pleased with how the team responded.”

IN THE OPENER, Amanda Horvers scored 21 points to lead Mount St. Mary (26-2) to a victory. Jen Mocanu added 18 points for the Knights.

Meghan Kirwan led Emmanuel (21-8) with 15 points.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at: pbetit@pressherald.com