DANVILLE, KY. - Oglethorpe's women's basketball team claimed their first win of the season against the Maryville Scots at the Lee's Famous Recipe/Hampton Inn Classic in Kentucky Friday evening with a final score of 79-69. This game was led by Sydni Donovan and Carley Bell who scored 18 and 21 points, respectively, for the Petrels.

"We had a really good week of practice, and it translated into our performance tonight," Head Coach Alex Richey said. "This is a group still learning to play with one another every day, but I love the growth I am seeing. The ball movement and energy on defense tonight was contagious and the results spoke for themselves because of it."

The Petrels started this game off strong, with Donovan making a layup within the first 30 seconds of the game and again a minute later. The first quarter was tight, but thanks to a 3-point jump shot made by Bell when there was just 25 seconds on the clock, the first quarter ended 22-17.

The second quarter saw the Petrels pull even farther ahead thanks to successful shots from Ellie Ronan, Donovan, Amy Vazquez, Bell, Jessamy Gaetanos and Emma Perna. The Petrels raised the score up to 38-31 by the end of the quarter.

The Stormy Petrels dominated through the second half of the game as well, always staying a step ahead of the Scots. The fourth quarter was intense for Maryville as Oglethorpe's Bell made two jump shots two minutes into the last quarter that tipped the game in the Petrels' favor at 56-49. Although both teams continued to have successful shots, Oglethorpe sealed the game in the last minute and a half, making six free throws evenly distributed between Taylor Smith, Donovan, and Bell. The last set of those was made by Bell with just 44 seconds remaining in the game. Even though Maryville scored in the last 25 seconds, the Petrels came out on top with a final game score of 79-69.

This win is the first of the season for the Petrels, putting them at 1-4.

Oglethorpe will stay in Danville, Kentucky, for the Saturday game against the Franklin College Grizzlies at the Centre College Tournament. The game starts at 1 p.m. Their next home game will be Wednesday against Asbury at 1 p.m.