Cincinnati, Ohio -- Junior Kathleen Phillips (Sandusky/St. Mary's) and sophomore Paige Ricketts (Mineral City/Tusky Valley) scored in double-figures, and senior Molly Schriber (Sidney) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds as Heidelberg University women's basketball team defeated the College of Mount St. Joseph in the season-opener, 70-45.
Heidelberg raced out to a 17 point lead at hafltime, 34-17.
Phillips was 7-of-17 from the field and finished with 17 points. Ricketts hit three three-pointers and finished with 14.
"Paige was a difference maker for us tonight," said fifth-year head coach Marcie Alberts. "She really got us going in the first half and the rest of the team followed suit."
Twenty student-athletes saw action on the court for Alberts.
"As a coaching staff, we've harped on attitude and effort, because those are things you can always control," said Alberts. "Each player played with that mentality. They just played hard."
Heidelberg's defense held all scorers for Mount St. Joe's players under 10 points.
"Our defense was the difference maker," said Alberts.
The team returns to action Saturday against Albion as part of the Mt. St. Joseph Tip-Off Classic. Game time is 2 p.m.