NEW YORK, N.Y. – 11 different Kutztown University women's basketball players made it into the score column as KU opened its 2022-23 campaign with a 79-48 defeat in an exhibition game at Division I, Fordham Thursday evening.
Three Golden Bears led the way with seven points each, including
Sydney Pierson (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown),
Naia Pulliam (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) and Olivia Smelas, the latter suiting up for the Maroon and Gold for the first time. Pulliam also grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
Abbey Hearn (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) recorded six points and three rebounds for Kutztown.
Zara Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon), who finished with four points and two assists, scored the game's first points, going 2-for-2 at the free-throw line to give KU the early 2-0 lead. Trailing 8-2 just 2:37 into the game, the Golden Bears netted eight of the game's next 10 points to tie the score at 10-10.
Casey Remolde (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) added a driving layup with 0:51 left in the quarter as Kutztown found itself behind just two points, 14-12 after the opening quarter.
The Rams, however, took control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring KU 32-8 to go on top 46-20 at halftime.
Annie Whalen (Ivyland, Pa./Archbishop Wood) contributed four points and three rebounds.
Bella Arcuri (Fallsington, Pa./Pennsbury),
Shannon Remolde (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) and Sofia Coleman all had three points.
Skyler West (York Springs, Pa./Bermudian Springs) and Remolde both finished with two points.
Kutztown will take on DI powerhouse UConn, in another road exhibition game this Sunday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m., from the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. The season-opener is set for next Friday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m., against Bowie State, played at Shippensburg University's Heiges Field House.
