Rutherford, NJ – The Felician University Women's Basketball team started the 2024-2025 season on a very good note, securing a victory over Daemen on Friday night in the Redhawks Tip Off Classic in Rochester, New York.
In an event where the Golden Falcons will play two games in two games, Felician secured a nail-biting 59-55 victory to open up the event.
The Wildcats got off to an early 7-0 run, one that the Golden Falcons would not let spiral further. Stephanie Formby made consecutive baskets, followed by a pair of Katherine Ritchie layups, an 8-0 run that gave the Golden Falcons their first lead of the night.
From there, the two teams would go back and forth as both teams headed to the locker room tied at 25 a piece.
In a game that featured 22 total lead changes, the second half was just as competitive as the first. Both teams traded baskets and defensive stops throughout the third quarter, as Daemon took a 41-40 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
With 8:42 remaining, Adriana Perez drained a three-pointer to give the Golden Falcons a 43-41 lead. Ane Valle would add a layup to extend the lead to four, but the Wildcats wouldn't go away.
With 4:57 remaining, the score was knotted up at 47. Another big-time shot was coming for Felician, as Stephanie Formby connected on a three-pointer to give the Golden Falcons the lead again. Unsurprisingly, the game was tied up again at the 3:18 mark, and as they did all night, Felician responded.
Ritchie knocked down a jumper off a beautiful pass from Valle, and Valle responded on the next trip by making a layup to extend the lead to four. While Daemen would battle in an attempt to tie the game, clutch free throws from Formby and a made layup by Ritchie helped the Golden Falcons seal the deal.
Felician had three players in double-figures, as the trip of Ritchie (15 points), Formby (15 points), and Valle combined for 42 of the Golden Falcons' 59 points. Valle recorded a double-double, finishing the night with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Following the win, the Felician University Women's Basketball team will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as they close out the Redhawks Tip-Off Classic with a non-conference contest against Roberts Wesleyan University.
