The women's basketball team opened their season with a bang, defeating Gustavus Adolphus 50-43 at the Karges Center.

It was a hard fought and physical game, which featured many defensive highlights for both teams.  On one hustle play, Alise Holst (Plainview, MN, Plainview-Elgin-Millville) went out the door of the Karges Center while keeping the ball in bounds.  That save led to a Nikki Guhr (Muskego, WI, Muskego) basket to put the Falcons up 41-39 for the time being.

Tiffany Gregorich (Altoona, WI, Altoona) shined on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball.  During a stretch to end the first half, she had back-to-back steals which were both converted into layups which sent the Falcons into the locker room leading 25-24 at halftime.  Gregorich would finish the night leading all players with 17 points.  She also had three of UWRF's 10 steals, which also led the Falcons.  Guhr was the other Falcon with double-digit points.  She finished the night with 10.

Maranda Dohrn (Lake City, MN, Lake City) and the Falcons cleaned up the glass.  As a team, the Falcons out-rebounded Gustavus 47-23.  Dohrn more than doubled any player in total rebounds.  She had 18.  Brittany Gregorich (Altoona, WI, Altoona) added eight rebounds.  The Falcons also had a 12-5 advantage in offensive rebounds.  Dohrn also had both blocks for UWRF.

Both teams were plagued by turnovers, but neither team was able to capitalize on the opportunities. The Falcons had 31 and Gustavus 22.  But the turnovers were negated in terms of points, as Gustavus scored 19 points off of turnovers and the Falcons 18.

Tess Lueders (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater) had a solid night off the bench for UWRF.  She had seven points and three rebounds in 13 minutes of play.

The Falcons were much more efficient in field goals.  As a team, the Falcons shot 40.5 percent from the field.  Gustavus meanwhile, shot 33.3 percent.

Neither team was very effective in the three-point game. UWRF was 2-11.  Gustavus was 1-18.

With the win, the Falcons are 1-0 on the season.  Gustavus falls to 0-1.

"This was a great win for us against a great MIAC team," said Falcon Head Coach Cindy Holbrook. "We weren't able to play our young players much because Gustavus put so much pressure on us.  For a first-year player to play under that much pressure would be difficult," said Holbrook.  "But we will be able to get them into games in the near future."

Up next for the Falcons is the Luther Tip-Off Classic.  The Falcons will take on Simpson College at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18.  They will then play host-college Luther at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.