SELINSGROVE, PA – The Susquehanna University women's basketball team opened the season at home and in style Thursday evening, giving fans perhaps a preview of this weekend's Susquehanna Tipoff Tournament with a 70-47 victory over Marywood. Backed by a 21-point second quarter and double digit scoring by Kaitlyn Lynch, Julia Roth and Annie Greek, the River Hawks open at 1-0, with their next challenge versus Penn College Saturday at 6 p.m. to open up the women's tipoff tournament.

By game's end, every Susquehanna baller took the court to contribute in the win, most notable the work of starters Lynch and Roth. Lynch contributed a game-high 14 points with four rebounds, shooting 4-of-11 from the floor and a perfect 6-for-6 touch at the free throw line. Roth garnered 13 points with six rebounds, making 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-8 on free throws. The River Hawks finished the night shooting 36.8 percent (25-68) with 5-of-23 threes made and 15-of-24 free throws. Greek and Grace Meehan each made a pair of threes, with Greek totaling 12 points on a night where she made 4-of-8 from the floor and 2-of-3 from behind the arc in 14 minutes off the bench. Meehan finished with nine points, connecting on 3-of-4 field goal attempts and 2-for-3 from long range. Kenzie Selvaggi netted five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three points in 21 minutes of action off the pine.

On the other end of the court Susquehanna held the Pacers to 27.3 percent (12-of-44), including just 1-of-10 in the first quarter on their way to a 17-8 after one. Marywood made 4-of-11 threes and 19-of-39 free throws on a night where 55 fouls were called between both teams – Susquehanna 29 and Marywood 26. Outside ten-point performances by Kendel Card and Alli Griscavage, only four other Pacers connected for points as the River Hawks led 34-27 in bench points.

Susquehanna led 45-40 in the rebounding battle, including 16 offensive boards to take a 15-5 lead in second-chance points. The River Hawks forced the Pacers into 26 turnovers, cashing them in for a 16-11 lead in points off turnovers. SU controlled things down low for a 34-14 lead in points in the paint. Save a 7-7 tie in the opening quarter, Susquehanna led the whole way, closing out the first quarter on a 10-1 run, aided by a second-chance jumper from Roth, a steal by Selvaggi to set up a Lynch layup, and back-to-back threes by Meehan and Selvaggi.

Head coach Gabby Holko opens the season at 1-0 for the third consecutive year with a chance to go 2-0 for the second time in three seasons when they open the women's tournament against Penn College Saturday at 6 p.m. Following the matchup #14 Desales and St. Elizabeth will play after. The losers of each contest will face off Sunday at 1 p.m., while the winners battle it out for the tournament championship Sunday at 3 p.m.