Rutherford NJ - Felician University went on a small road trip this evening to go up against Caldwell University. After losing 3 matchups last week, the Golden Falcons in their first CACC matchup of the season picked up the victory by defeating Caldwell by 13 points. Here's what transpired during tonight's contest.

First Half - Felician came out strong in the first half, showcasing a well-rounded offensive and defensive performance to maintain control over Caldwell. Natalia Lucic opened the scoring for Felician with an early three-pointer, setting the tone for a competitive game. Ane Valle demonstrated exceptional playmaking, dishing out multiple assists while also contributing heavily to the scoring, including a three-pointer and several key layups. Stephanie Formby dominated in the paint, recording multiple layups and even securing an impressive block late in the half. Katherine Ritchie and Deviney Jackson contributed defensively with critical steals, leading to points in transition. Felician's balanced attack featured sharp shooting from beyond the arc, with Lucic, Valle, and Adriana Perez all sinking threes. By the end of the half, Felician's efficient scoring, anchored by Valle's leadership, gave them a commanding 48-31 lead heading into the second half.

Second Half - Felician displayed a resilient performance in the second half, maintaining their lead over Caldwell through disciplined defense and timely scoring. Natalia Lucic sparked momentum early in the third quarter, knocking down a three-pointer that extended Felician's lead to 51-35. Ane Valle was instrumental in the paint, delivering several key layups, including one off a smooth assist from Katherine Ritchie, keeping the offense steady as Caldwell tried to close the gap. Defensively, Felician excelled with pivotal plays, including blocks by Deviney Jackson and Ane Valle, which denied Caldwell easy scoring opportunities. Katherine Ritchie and Sonia Martinez added crucial rebounds and steals, ensuring Felician stayed in control. The team's composure at the free-throw line, highlighted by Ritchie and Valle, helped solidify their lead as the game progressed. In the fourth quarter, Valle continued to shine, scoring back-to-back layups to keep Felician's lead intact. Ritchie's contributions, including a critical layup and defensive stops, further cemented their dominance. Despite Caldwell's efforts to rally late, Felician's balanced attack and consistent defensive pressure allowed them to close out the game with a 67-54 victory.

After this great victory to open up conference play, the Golden Falcons get to go into their second conference matchup this Saturday when they go up against Dominican at home at 1:00 PM!