WILMINGTON, Del. (November 15, 2009) – Six players reached double digits in scoring and the Kutztown University women's basketball team never trailed as it defeated Wilmington University, 87-76, in its season opener at the Pratt Student Center Sunday afternoon. (BOXSCORE)

Junior Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) (Pittsburgh/Shaler) led a balanced KU scoring effort with 18 points and nine rebounds. Junior Kristen Murray (Harrisburg, PA/Trinity) added 17 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes. Also scoring double figures for Kutztown was junior Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) (Richmond, VA/Monacan) who finished with 13 points and six assists. Senior Vivian Melvin (Chichester, PA/Chichester) (Chichester/Chichester) had a solid all-around game with 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Senior Rachel Wisemiller (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area) (Hazleton/Hazleton Area) and senior Chauntelle Schroeder (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Mother Teresa) (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Mother Teresa) scored 10 points each.

Wilmington (0-1 overall) was paced by Amelia Simmons, who had game-highs of 28 points and 12 rebounds. The Wildcats were picked to finish second in the Central Athletic Collegiate Conferen Southern Division preseason poll.

The Golden Bears (1-0) finished with 26 assists on 34 baskets. Fueling Kutztown's quick start was a 7-for-14 shooting effort from 3-point distance in the opening half. Kutztown scored 10 consecutive points during a four minute stretch of the first half to break a 23-23 tie.

Murray began the burst with a 3-pointer. During the run, four different players scored. Melvin ended the run with a short jumper. Wilmington recovered to trail, 43-38, at intermission.

The second half belonged to Kutztown after Wilmington closed to 47-44 with 15:29 remaining following a Parker 3-pointer. The Golden Bears went on another run. This 10-0 blitz was decisive and swift and gave KU control of the game for good. Like the first half burst, four different players scored during the run. Kutztown also forced a pair of turnovers during its game-altering run.

Starr hit a basket to give Kutztown a 55-44 lead with 13:23 left. Wilmington never got closer than eight points the remainder of the game. The Golden Bears' lead crested at 18 points on two occasions.

Kutztown returns to action when it hosts Holy Family in its home opener at Keystone Arena on Tuesday Nov. 24 beginning at 7 p.m. 

--KU--