GRANTHAM, Pa. – A major second half scoring spree propelled the TCNJ women's basketball team to a 61-42 opening night victory over Salisbury on day one of the Messiah Tip-Off Tournament Friday evening.

Captain Julia Setaro scored 12 of her game-high 17 points in the third quarter as the Lions stepped up on both ends to shoot past the Sea Gulls by a lopsided 41-18 margin in the closing two periods of the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lions tipped off their season with a quick start to the game, going on an immediate 13-6 run that was capped off by a pair of stellar plays from freshman Grace Kowalski, who jumped the passing lane for an uncontested transition layup the other way before following up with a nice drive and kickout to junior Arianna McCleod for a three.
• The Sea Gulls responded with a 6-2 run of their own, cutting TCNJ's lead to one possession, 15-12, to close out a fast paced first quarter.
• Salisbury continued the momentum to start the second period, making three quick buckets to take the lead, 18-15, with seven minutes to go in the period.
• The Lions broke through with their first bucket a minute later on a layup in transition by Isabella Cafaro, who received the ball from sophomore Myah Hourigan-Hutton after a terrific contest in the post.
• Both teams continued the defensive intensity in the closing minutes of the first half, as no field goals were made for either team in the last four minutes. TCNJ entered halftime down 24-20.
• The tide shifted quickly in the second half, with the Lions going on an immediate 16-0 run in the first six minutes of the third quarter. Led by Setaro, who seemingly willed her way into the paint on every touch, the super senior set the tone by making three straight layups to eventually finish with a dozen points in the quarter.
• After a Sea Gull free throw finally snapped TCNJ's scoring run with a little over four minutes in the quarter, the Lions would quickly balloon the lead back up to 16 following a Katie Fricker trey and a pair of free throws from Hourigan-Hutton.
• However, Salisbury would close out the third quarter strong, cutting down the TCNJ lead to 11 on an 8-3 run.
• The final quarter would begin similarly, with the Lions going on an immediate 7-0 spurt in the first two minutes to go up by 18 points, before cruising through the final frame to the victory.

STANDOUT LIONS

• Setaro's 17 points came on a highly efficient 7-of-10 shooting from the field, alongside three steals and a pair of assists.
• Fricker was the other Lion to record double digit scoring, finishing with ten points on 4-of-7 shooting and splashing a pair of treys.
• Kaitlyn Deiter filled the stat sheet, recording six points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.

NOTES

• The Lions caught fire from deep in the second half, making 6-of-15 three point attempts (40%).
• TCNJ's defense held Salisbury to just nine points on 2-for-10 shooting in the momentum-shifting third quarter.

UP NEXT
The Lions will wrap up play at the Messiah Tip-Off Tournament tomorrow by taking host Messiah for the Championship game at 3 P.M.