Melinda Spahiu scored 23 points and Nia Dawson had 22 points in her Baruch debut as the visiting Bearcats defeated Cedar Crest College, 87-64, in the season-opener on Saturday afternoon in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The Bearcats broke open the contest by outscoring the host Falcons, 30-16, in the second quarter. Overall, they shot 51 percent (37-for-73) and scored 18 second chance points.

Spahiu narrowly missed a double-double with her 23 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Dawson shot 3-for-6 from three for her collegiate-high 22 points.

Sameera Ahmed scored 15 points and dished out five assists, while Frances Snyder scored 10 points in the first half to finish with 12.

Daniela Zirpolo contributed eight points and rebounds each.

The Bearcats's defense held the Falcons to 40 percent shooting, which included only 3-for-20 from 3-point range.