IMMACULATA, PA – The Rowan University women's basketball team opened its season with a 61-57 victory over Immaculata University on Saturday afternoon.

Center Kate Matthews (jr. Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) led Rowan with 17 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Guard Anyssa Sanchez (so. Stratford, NJ/Sterling) added 14 points, six boards and four steals. Forward Summer Crilley (fr. Galloway, NJ/Holy Spirit) recorded 11 points and six rebounds. Forward Melissa Lake (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) collected nine points.
 
For Immaculata, guard Sara Smith (sr. Glenolden, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) produced 19 points and seven rebounds. Guard/forward Alison Zimny (sr. Elkton, MD/St. Mark's) and guard Mackie Fitzgerald (sr. Secane, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) each registered seven points. Forward Brittany Merkle (sr. Aldan, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) tallied eight rebounds.
 
Immaculata scored the first four points of the game on baskets by Merkle (19:50) and Smith (19:11). Rowan tied the contest at six on a Matthews layup with 17:58 to play in the first half. The Profs trailed 9-8 then Lake scored four straight points for a 13-9 advantage at the 13:03 mark. Zimny gave the Might Macs the lead back, 16-15 on a pair free throws (7:46).
 
Lake and Sanchez each recorded baskets to put the Profs back in front 19-16 (6:38). Rowan led 23-18 (5:17), but Immaculata ended the half on a 10-2 run and took a 28-25 lead into the locker room. Smith scored four points during the spurt. Matthews produced 12 first half points and Smith had 11.
 
Rowan tallied the first 10 points of the second half for a 35-28 lead (17:20). Sanchez had five points, while guard Kaitlin Schullstrom (jr. Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) had three and guard Jade Bonder (sr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown), two. The Profs led by two (46-44) with 7:04 on the clock, then scored seven consecutive points for their largest lead, 53-44 (4:13). Guard Ashanti Bishop (jr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) scored a basket, Crilley knocked down a three-pointer and Matthews ended the run with a layup. The Mighty Macs would only get as close as four points the rest of the way
 
Rowan hosts Penn State Brandywine in its home opener on Monday, November 17 at 7 p.m.