By Henry Kolani

LEWISTON, Maine -- Sophomore Sarah Hughes scored a career-high 25 points and the Bates women's basketball team opened their 2024-25 season Friday night with a 77-54 win over Husson at Alumni Gymnasium.

Junior Elsa Daulerio (Harpswell, Maine) turned in a performance Bates fans have come to expect, scoring 15 points with five rebounds. Junior Ava James (Bethesda, Md.) led the team in rebounds with eight, and put together a nine-point game.  

Hughes (Rumson, N.J.) had a stellar game to begin her sophomore season, shooting 8-12 from the floor, dishing out three assists, and grabbing six rebounds. Hughes' impact cannot fully be shown by the stat line, as the guard's hustle plays, fighting for loose balls, and keeping plays alive helped to push the Bates offense. 

Senior captain Alexandra Long (Newtown, Pa.) got it done on both sides of the floor, leading the team in assists and blocks, with seven and two respectively. Her sophomore teammate Mya Hicks (Ann Arbor, Mich.) shot 50% from beyond the arc, putting together a six-point performance with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 

The Bobcats (1-0) found themselves in a tight contest as the first half came to a close, with Bates holding a slim advantage of 27-25. The Eagles (0-3) were hot from the field in the first quarter, shooting at a 50 percent clip. But the Bates defense shut them down after that, and Bates grabbed the lead for good with a 12-0 run early in the third quarter.

Bates' lead was built thanks in part to their improved shooting. The Bobcats were 11-28 for a 39% rate in the first half. Then they shot 17-28, good for 60.7% from the floor in the second half. Bates shot in total 50% for the night, outpacing the Eagles' 28% clip. 

A pair of first-years recorded their first points of their collegiate careers, with Lily Brown (Dallas, Texas) and Lily Lambo (Watertown, Mass.) each sinking their first points from the field this season. 

The defensive effort from the Bobcats was stellar, as they held Husson to a three-point percentage of 12.5%, with the eagles shooting 2-16 from beyond the arc. 

Husson caused problems for the Bates offense, as the Bobcats survived 23 turnovers, which were caused mostly by a consistent full-court press from the visitors. Callaway LePage paced the Eagles with 14 points on 3-4 shooting.

Bates aims to keep their foot on the gas to start the season, as they return to action Saturday at 5:30 p.m. to take on Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Alumni Gym.