SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team raced out to a 20-4 lead and never looked back as it cruised to a 67-48 season-opening win over the University of Michigan-Dearborn on Tuesday night.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor 67, Michigan-Dearborn 48

LOCATION: SAU Fieldhouse | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 1-0, Michigan-Dearborn 2-2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a bucket by Michigan-Dearborn tied the score at 2-2, senior Kylie Townsley scored six points as part of an 18-2 Spring Arbor run to end the first quarter. The Cougars' high-pressure defense forced the Wolverines into eight turnovers in the frame, which SAU converted into 12 points.
• The Cougars continued to extend their lead in the second quarter and would head into halftime with a 34-17 advantage.
• Back-to-back three-pointers by Autumn Goggin and Faith Johnson to begin the fourth period gave SAU its largest lead of the night, 59-28.
• Townsley and Goggin paced the Cougars with 16 points apiece while Rachel Nelson finished with 11. Rachel Driesenga led all players with a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with four points and three assists. Aimee Konkel dished out a team-high four assists and Lindsey Lehman ended the night with three steals and two helpers.
• Spring Arbor shot just 34 percent (25-for-72) from the floor, including 3-for-17 from three-point range, but turned 29 Wolverine turnovers into 26 points.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Spring Arbor has won six of its last seven season openers. The only loss came in the first game of the 2014-15 campaign when the Cougars fell to Michigan-Dearborn.
• Spring Arbor owns a 6-1 record over Michigan-Dearborn over the last 11 seasons.

FOR THE WOLVERINES

• Michigan-Dearborn was led by Emily Heinrich, who posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kendall Rose also scored in double figures with 12 points.
• The Wolverines were held to a season-low 28 percent (20-for-70) from the floor and committed 29 turnovers.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH RYAN FROST

• "It's certainly nice to come out of the gates with a good win. Our upperclassmen really showed there toughness and ability to play together."
• "We have a quick turnaround on Thursday with Rochester coming into town.  It will be another good test for us."

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will host Rochester College (3-1) on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Women's Basketball Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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