GENEVA, N.Y. – Rochester took advantage of 22 steals and balanced scoring to defeat William Smith College, 80-62, in the season opener for both teams at Bristol Gym on Tuesday night.

Kayla Kibling had 13 points, five assists, and hit three treys. Brynn Lauer had 12 points and three assists. Kelsey Hurley contributed a dozen points, and Lauren Deming had 10 points.

Playing under the new format of four 10-minute quarters, Rochester held leads of 20-13 after one, 49-26 after two (halftime), and 72-42 through three quarters. William Smith outscored the Yellowjackets, 20-8, in the final period.

The Herons (0-1) pulled within one point, 10-9, with 3:50 left in the first quarter when Gabrielle Eure completed a traditional three-point play. Rochester was up, 15-13, with 1:15 to go. The Yellowjackets closed the period with a layup from Jillian Silvestri and a running one-handed three-pointer from Mary Kronenwetter just before the buzzer to take the 20-13 edge at the quarter break.

Rochester seized control of the game with a 12-1 run over the first five minutes of the second half. The burst ended with back to back three-point goals from Kibling and Lauer. That opened a 32-14 advantage which was stretched to 49-26 at halftime.

William Smith commited 38 turnovers leading to 40 Rochester points. Rochester had 17 turnovers (William Smith had 10 steals) and that produced 14 points for the hosts.

Rochester will open the home season on Friday against Stevenson University in the first round of the Chuck Resler Invitational. Tip-off is set for 6 pm. The other women's first-round game in the Resler tournament pitts Ohio Northern University against Vassar College at 1 pm. The third place and championship games will be played on Saturday.