SAN JUAN, PR (December 19, 2022) -- The Susquehanna University women's basketball team surrendered just 38 points Monday afternoon, using their strong defense to push past Concordia University of Wisconsin 45-38 in non-conference play at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

The victory saw the emergence of a first-year for the River Hawks, as newcomer Julia Roth played in her first collegiate basketball game and starred as she totaled 14 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. The win also saw a familiar face back in the box score, as fifth-year Olivia Brandt returned to action for the second semester and tallied four points and three rebounds in her first game of the season. 

The defense though was the story for Susquehanna (4-6), as the River Hawks held a team under 40 for the second time in 2022-23, joining the 69-27 win for SU back on November 19. The River Hawks forced Concordia (5-4) into 26.1 percent shooting on the contest, the second-lowest percentage against SU this season. The River Hawks also out-rebounded the Falcons 40-27 on the game, and forced 20 turnovers which were recycled into 13 points on the other end. 

Susquehanna trailed 8-6 early in the first quarter but a Roth jumper with 4:47 to go in the opening frame started a 9-0 run that finished in an Isabella Schwabe bucket to make it 15-8. The River Hawks took a four-point lead into second quarter, and built their edge up to seven points on a traditional three-point play from Brandt before taking a 24-19 lead into the break. 

The River Hawks' lead would reach double-digits three minutes into the second half on a Schwabe lay-up, and Roth extended the lead up to a game-high 12 points with 2:28 remaining in the quarter. SU led 38-28 going into the final period, and fought off a late rally by CUW with three throws by Roth and Julia Pinckert to clinch the win. 

In addition to Roth's strong game, senior Kaitlyn Lynch was 5-of-12 from the floor en route to 12 points, while Schwabe finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine caroms on 5-of-7 shooting. Pinckert played 39 minutes and totaled five points, seven rebounds and four assists for Susquehanna, which shot 31 percent from the floor for the contest. SU did get the victory without making a three-pointer, the first time since February 9, 2013 against Moravian. 

Emily Hafemann posted 17 points and nine rebounds for the Falcons in the loss, while Aubrey Buchholtz tallied eight points as well. 

The River Hawks will take on The College of New Jersey at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning in Roberto Clemente Coliseum in the second and final game of the Puerto Rico Clasico.