The Basics
Score: Roanoke 79 | Averett 51   
Records: Maroons 1-0 | Cougars 0-2
Location: Danville, Va.

The Lead: The Roanoke College women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with a trip to Danville to play Averett. The Maroons used 28-14 first quarter to seize control of the matchup and took a 21-point lead into the break. The second half would see Roanoke continue to pull away and, in the end, the Maroons came away with a big season opening win over the Cougars, 79-51.

How it Happened:

• RC would score first and after a Sayre Brandstatter three-pointer, the Maroons were up 8-0. A Rose Sande free throw pushed the lead to double-digits, 14-4, with 6:00 remaining in the first period. In the final minute, a Brandstatter hoop made it 28-14.
• The second quarter would also belong to the visitors. Lauren Keel scored to start the frame and a pair of baskets by Ayanna Scarborough would wrap up an 18-11 Roanoke period that saw the Maroons take a 46-25 lead into the break.
• Roanoke continued to add to their advantage with a 24-point third quarter. A Whitney Hopson three-point play with just over a minute to play in the quarter would see the Maroon advantage grow to 28.
• Sande pushed the lead to 32 with a jumper less than a minute into the fourth. The Cougars would score the final four points of the night but Roanoke would cruise to a season opening win, 79-51.
• Morgan Micallef led a balanced RC attack with 12 while JaBryah Haverkamp and Sande each added 11. In all, 12 different Maroons scored in the game.
• Sande led with seven rebounds with Hopson and Kristina Harrel each handing out five assists. Hopson recorded five steals and Harrel had a blocked shot.

Up next: The Maroons will play host to the Jean Beamer Tip-Off on Saturday and Sunday. Roanoke will host Hood in the opener before wrapping up the two-day event with a game against Albright.