Griffins dominate Blackburn in home opener

St. Louis, Mo. - An explosive second quarter gave the Griffins a 35-23 halftime lead over Blackburn College to open conference play. Fontbonne women's basketball ensured a home-opening win in the second half scoring 55 points while Blackburn netted 16 in the final 20 minutes of action.

Both teams came out pressing, and while the first quarter score was close with a Fontbonne 14-11 advantage, the Griffins forced the Beavers to commit 15 turnovers. Angela Andrews recorded a double-double in the first half alone with 12 rebounds and 10 points on her way to lead Blackburn in the loss with 16 total rebounds and 12 points.

Junior DeAmbra Pilkinton scored a game-high 25 points and added four steals to lead Fontbonne's offensive charge. Freshman Jessica Jordan was good on both ends of the court with 20 points and 13 rebounds as she drained seven of 11 attempts. Seven of those were offensive as she added six steals as well. Senior Erika Kuhn was the final player in double-digits, recording 10 points. Kuhn went 4-for-4 at the line and missed one of her four attempts in the field. Point guard Emmie Haring divvied out her skills with seven points, six assists and five steals.

Both teams looked inside during most of the contest as only eight attempts behind the arc were completed. Fontbonne scored 56 from the paint, 41 points off turnovers and 24 in fast break scenarios.

Fontbonne travels to Iowa Wesleyan Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest and returns home the following Saturday to take on Spalding University at 1 p.m.