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BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team started slowly but outscored visiting Gannon University, 49-29, over the final three quarters to open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action with a 56-41 victory over the Golden Knights on Saturday afternoon at the Nelson Field House. Bloomsburg improved to 5-2 overall while Gannon dropped to 4-4. It marked the PSAC opener for both schools.

It was just Bloomsburg's third victory over Gannon in 11 career meetings between the two schools and was the Huskies' first win over the Golden Knights since an 81-76 win in the opening round of the NCAA Division II playoffs on March 13, 2015.

Senior Alyssa Mack (Walnutport, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) led the Huskies with 13 points while junior Bella Ricci (Etters, Pa./Red Land) joined her in double figures with 11 points. Ricci added four rebounds and four assists in a solid all-around line. Senior Marissa Molnar (Erie, Pa./McDowell), junior Taylor Montana (Berwick, Pa./Berwick), and sophomore Emma Saxton (York, Pa./Central York) chipped in with nine points apiece with Montana also pulling down a game-high seven rebounds in the victory.

Bloomsburg was held to just seven points on 3-of-14 (21.4%) shooting in the opening quarter and trailed at the end of the first ten minutes by a 12-7 score. Gannon built the lead to six early in the second quarter and still led by five, 17-12, with 4:57 left in the first half before the Huskies went on a 12-2 run to close out the period and to take a 24-19 advantage into the locker room at halftime. Saxton had seven of her nine points during the stretch with Ricci adding the other five points including a layup with 1:23 left that ultimately gave the Huskies the lead for good.

The Huskies pulled away in the third quarter, aided by an 11-4 run after Gannon cut the lead to three midway through the frame, and built a 46-35 advantage at the end of three quarters. Bloomsburg led by double figures for much of the fourth quarter and led by as many as 17 points before settling for the 15-point victory.

Bloomsburg shot 20-of-51 (39.2%) from the field but hit 6-of-10 (60.0%) from beyond the arc in the victory. The Huskies were 10-of-15 (66.7%) from the foul line which was helped by Mack's 5-of-6 performance from the stripe. Gannon shot just 16-of-47 (34.0%) and was unable to hit a three-pointer in 15 attempts on the afternoon. Bloomsburg held a slim 33-32 edge in rebounding and forced the Golden Knights into 19 turnovers with seven of those being offensive fouls.

Nicole LaCava was the only Gannon player in double figures as she finished with 17 points.

Bloomsburg will get right back to work on Sunday, December 2, when it hosts Edinboro University at the Nelson Field House. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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