FARMINGTON -- Saint Joseph's College of Maine held off the University of Maine at Farmington 56-46 in non-conference women's basketball competition tonight at Dearborn Gymnasium.

The game was the season opener for both teams. The Beavers (0-1) are scheduled to host the Dunkin' Donuts Tip-Off Classic Friday and Saturday. Friday's games includes University of Southern Maine vs. University of Maine at Fort Kent at 5:30 p.m. and UMF vs. University of Maine at Presque Isle at 7:30 p.m. The Monks (1-0) are tabbed to take on Elms College Friday at 8 p.m. at the Castleton State Tip-Off.

Ashley Geel  (St. George, Maine) pounded away in the paint for the Monks with 14 points and 13 rebounds with Megan McDevitt (Cumberland, Maine) providing 11 points and five assists and Lindsay Moore (Somersworth, N.H.) adding 10 points off the bench.

Emma Morrison (Saco, Maine) scored 13 points for UMF, while Lindsay Ranquist (Owls Head, Maine) netted 11 points in her collegiate debut.

The two teams -- combining for 28 turnovers and 23.2 percent shooting -- slogged through the opening half with the Monks outscoring the Beavers 13-3 over the first eight minutes. The Monks took a 22-10 lead on a Moore basket, but Bianca Stoutamyer (Madison, Maine) and Morrison each scored to cut the deficit to 22-14 at intermission.

UMF knocked the St. Joe's lead to 27-23 five minutes into the second half on an Emily Higgins (Saco, Maine) jumper, but Allie Parent (Camden, Maine) and Mackenzie Dufour (Augusta, Maine) each struck for a 3-pointer to build the Monks' lead to 33-23 with 11:37 to play.

The Beavers got the lead down to 36-31 with 8:36 remaining. McDevitt followed by draining a three and Moore hit a basket to push the Monks to a 41-31 advantage. UMF was never closer than eight points the rest of the way as St. Joe's took the 56-46 win.