BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Mansfield University women's basketball team led on the road in their season opener throughout the majority of the first half, but D'Youville College used a big third quarter to steal a 60-52 non-conference victory on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 12.
 
The Mounties fall to 0-1 overall, while the Saints improve to 1-0.
 
Jasmine Hilton picked up right where she left off last season, scoring a game-high 31 points and pulling in seven rebounds to lead the Mountaineers' efforts. The forward shot 13-of-20 from the floor and 3-of-4 from behind the arch, while knocking down both of her free throw attempts. Alivia Paeglow finished second on the team in scoring with eight points, while tying Hilton for the team-lead in rebounds with seven. Paeglow added a game-high four steals, while Kristen Fulford led the team with a game-high six assists.
 
Both teams struggled from the floor, shooting 35 percent from the floor, but the difference proved to be the battle at the line as the Saints (22-of-25) knocked down 14 more free throws than the Mounties (8-of-19). The Saints also led on the glass, pulling in 11 more rebounds than MU.
 
In the first quarter, the Mounties' defense did not allow a point for over two minutes and Hilton scored four straight to open the game to give Mansfield an early 6-0 advantage. MU never trailed in the period, but the Saints ended the quarter on an 13-9 run to cut the deficit to 15-13.
 
D'Youville carried the momentum into the second quarter where they outscored the Mounties, 12-10, tying the score at 23-23 heading into the break.
 
The Saints took their first lead of the game at the 9:22 mark in the third quarter before four unanswered points by Hilton knotted things back at 29-27 with 5:18 to go in the period. However, that was the last Mountaineer points of the period and the Saints countered with 10 unanswered to head into the final quarter leading 37-29.
 
The Mounties' offense started to run on all cylinders in the final period when they erupted for 23 points on 67 percent (8-of-12) shooting from the floor, but the Saints matched that effort, also scoring 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
 
For D'Youville, Morgan Giancaterino led the way with a team-high 21 points and dished out four assists. Giancaterino finished 6-of-13 from the floor and 9-of-11 at the charity stripe.
 
The Mounties host Roberts Wesleyan College in non-conference action at 5:30 p.m. in Decker Gym on Tuesday, Nov. 15.