WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team opened its season with a convincing 61-45 win on the road at King's College.

The Knights were led on the day by Aaliyah Hayes (10 points, 15 rebounds) and Mariah Maciejewski (12 points, 11 rebounds), who both registered double-doubles. Lauren Legler (11 points) and Nafisa Saunders (14 points) also notched double digits in scoring in the win.

Neumann would lead from wire to wire, jumping out to an early 8-0 lead and never looking back from there. The Knights would carry a 13-7 lead after the first quarter, and would increase that lead to 30-17 at the half. Legler would carry the Knights offensively in the first two quarters, notching nine points to lead the team.

The second half would be more tightly contested, but Neumann would maintain a comfortable double-digit lead throughout. The Knights would open up as much as a 21 point lead in the second half before eventually prevailing with a 16 point win. Saunders picked up 11 second-half points, while Shauntel Williams facilitated the offense with four assists. Erin Baker also played well in her first career collegiate game, scoring four points to go along with five rebounds.

The Knights defense proved to be the difference on the day, smothering to the Kings offense and holding the Monarchs to just a 28.8% field goal percentage on the day, including an 0 for 10 mark from the three-point line. Neumann also registered 21 points off turnovers in the win.

Neumann (1-0) will next be in action on Friday, November 18^th as it heads home for its annual tip-off tournament for a game versus Wesley College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM.