ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan College women's basketball team is one game into its season and the Redhawks have already gained valuable experience.
Roberts built a 20-point lead late in the third quarter and withstood a fierce rally by Felician University to defeat the Golden Falcons 74-71 Friday night in the Redhawk Classic at Voller Athletic Center.
Senior Taryn Wilson and sophomore Georgia Haverlock both scored 17 points to lead four Redhawks in double-figures.
"I think we did some good things," Roberts coach Kevin Clifford said. "We made some good plays down the stretch and we were able to finish it off and get the win."
Roberts took a 51-31 lead on a jump shot by freshman Grace Dow with 2:42 in the third quarter, but Felician persisted and pulled within one on a 3-pointer by Katelyn Andres with five seconds left in the game. Danielle DiCintio converted two free throws with 0.3 remaining for the final margin.
"Everyone has first-game jitters," said Wilson, who added five assists and was a plus-19 in her 33 minutes of playing time. "We made some runs and then they made some. We just needed to keep our composure and we did that."
Wilson, DiCintio (11 assists) and Toni Neely-Primus each went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line in the final 30 seconds.
Dow scored 12 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in her college debut and senior Dimitra Gkizani contributed 11 points and six rebounds for the Redhawks, who never trailed in the game.
"I'm happy, I'm glad and I'm proud of my team," said Gkizani, who scored the Redhawks' first basket of the season on the opening possession of the game and helped Roberts get out to an early lead with six first-quarter points.
Felician outscored Roberts 28-20 in the fourth quarter, but the Redhawks made enough plays down the stretch to secure the opening-night victory.
"I thought it was a good test," Clifford said. "Our word this year is perseverance and we persevered. We didn't get rattled."
The Redhawk Classic continues on Saturday with Roberts taking on Saint Anselm, a 75-70 winner over Daemen College on Friday, at 4 p.m. on Saturday.