VIDEO: Post-Game Interview with Bonenberger | Photo Gallery

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's basketball team showcased a new-look, perimeter-style offense, and a smothering full court press from start to finish in a 93-61 victory over Mansfield University on Wednesday night in the season-opener at Keystone Arena.
 
Redshirt senior Alyssa Bonenberger (Walnutport, Pa./Northampton Area) led the charge for the Golden Bears (1-0, 1-0 PSAC East) in Wednesday night's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) contest. She notched her first double-double of the year with a career-high 25 points to go along with a game-high 15 rebounds. She shot an impressive 9-for-15 from the floor, all in 27 minutes of work.
 
Kutztown's press forced Mansfield (1-1, 0-1) into 16 turnovers and a 36.2 field goal percentage. Even though the Mountaineers didn't help themselves with a 9-for-23 performance at the free throw line, Kutztown kept its foot on the throttle until the final buzzer for a statement victory in the teams' PSAC opener.
 
Bonenberger was one of four Golden Bears to score in double figures. Nicole Donahue (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) scored 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Elisa Gaffney (Downingtown, Pa./Coatesville) looked strong in her return to the court after missing most of last year with an injury. She attacked the basket often and finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Jenna Altomare (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area) made all three of her field goal attempts, including two three-pointers, for a 10-point outing.
 
Contributions were made up and down the roster on Wednesday night. Guards Jess Harvey (Barnegat, N.J./Rumson Fair-Haven Regional) and Brianna Morales (Bethlehem, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic (Northampton County Community College)) combined for 11 assists to just two turnovers, highlighted by seven assists from Morales in her debut in the Maroon and Gold.
 
Defensively, Advia Campbell (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape), the reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, notched four blocks in just 14 minutes due to foul trouble, while grabbing 10 rebounds. Kelsey Watson (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) turned in quality minutes in the paint with eight points and six rebounds, and newcomer Kalee Fuegel (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) made the most of her 10 minutes on the floor with aggressive defense and smart decision making. Despite not scoring a point, she filled up the stat sheet with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
Kutztown truly played team basketball in its victory. Its 93 points marked the most for the program since 2010, nearly four years to the day (11/20/10), and its 27 assists were the most since 2008.
 
Mansfield had two double-digit scorers. Katie Fitzpatrick dropped 11 points with five assists, and Becky Evans finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
 
The Golden Bears get the opportunity to put a stamp on a promising opening week of their season this Saturday, Nov. 22 at West Chester University beginning at 1 p.m.