The Oglethorpe University women's basketball team opened the 2009-2010 basketball season in style by trouncing Emory University on Pinholster Court on Tuesday night, 86-73. After graduating over 95% of the scoring and rebounding from last year's Sweet Sixteen squad, the Petrels started four freshmen but did not miss a beat in getting back to their winning ways.

With the game tied at 14 at the 13:15 mark of the first half, the Petrels used a 38-14 run to close the stanza and seize control of the game. The run was highlighted by freshman Riley Cerone's buzzer-beating three-pointer as the half expired. For the night, Cerone was scintillating shooting the basketball in sinking 8 of 11 shots and 7 of 10 from downtown on her way to a 26 point debut. The seven three-pointers in a game ranks second all-time in the Oglethorpe record books.
 
The Petrels also had three other freshmen record double-digits in their inaugural game on Pinholster Court with Sarah Jones pouring in 13 to go along with 7 assists, Kaci Palmore notching 11 points and a team-high 12 rebounds and Sarah Giles recording 10 points and grabbing 6 boards. Senior Taymah Jones, coming off successive seasons missed with ACL injuries, returned to action as a starter and posted 7 points, four rebounds and two assists.
 
The winning night included a special halftime ceremony where the 2008-2009 SCAC Championship and Sweet 16 banner was unveiled and former All-Americans Anna Findley and Katie Kulavic had their jersey's retired.
 
The Petrels are now 1-0 on the season and will get set to host Maryville College this Monday at 7:00 p.m. on Pinholster Court.