RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Felician women's basketball opened Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play Wednesday evening when they hosted Caldwell University in JJJ Gymnasium. The Golden Falcons secured not only their first conference win of the season, but the first win overall as they secured the 68-49 victory.

The green-and-gold never relinquished a lead throughout the entire contest; however, Caldwell was able to tie the score twice, but never surpass Felician.

Here's What Happened:

• The two equalizing points for the Cougars happened in the opening minutes of regulation and after an Ane Valle (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain) jumper, the lady Falcons did not surrender their advantage for the remainder of the night.
• By the end of the first quarter, Felician was able to lead the Cougars by 10 as they held the visitors to only 7 points and Adriana Perez (Galapagar, Madrid, Spain), Katherine Ritchie (Mentone, Victoria, Australia), and Deviney Jackson (Long Island City, NY.) piled on points, 17-7.
• Midway through the second quarter, the scoreboard featured a 30-17 score in favor of Felician. Caldwell was able to slash their deficit to 10 at the half.
• Ritchie was first to score to ignite the second half and put Felician up by 12, but Caldwell finally got the green-and-gold lead into single digits after a swift four points.
• A 10-2 Golden Falcons run allowed the host to enter the final stanza with a 47-35 lead.
• The Cougars attempted to apply the pressure with a full court press, but to no avail to stop the Golden Falcons as they quickly zipped through the defense; Felician increased their advantage to 18 and ultimately captured the 68-49 victory.

Box Score Insights:

• This is Felician's fifth consecutive win against the Cougars.
• Ritchie finished with a double-double with 18-points and 15-rebounds but also filled the stat sheet with six assists, two blocks, and three steals.
• Mar Vidal (Tona, Spain) finished second on the team with 12 points and Uzor Uchiduno (Toronto, Canada) and Maci Covello (Kearny, N.J.) recorded 10 apiece.
• As a unit, the green-and-gold captured 16 steals and massively out rebounded the Cougars  63-39.

With tonight's win the women's basketball squad improves to 1-5 overall and 1-0 in the CACC. They will hit the road on Saturday for another conference match up with Bloomfield College at 1:00pm.