DEMOREST, Ga.—Keimarya Rivera led the Oglethorpe women's basketball team to a 78-65 victory over Piedmont on Saturday, tallying 23 points in their 2025-26 opener. Marlie Battle racked up 11 rebounds and led the team in assists with five.

The Petrels secured a quick eight-point lead over the Lions in the first quarter after early shots form Aliyah Shaffer, Rivera and Battle. Sheraton Foster drained a three with two minutes left in the quarter and extended the lead to 13-7.

The Lions tied the game in the second quarter, but the Stormy Petrels quickly took back their lead after a layup by Lauren Phillip. After a scored jumper by Foster and two successful free throws from Malia Melton, the Petrels secured the lead and never looked back, maintaining it for the rest of the quarter.

A 3-pointer by Briley Elder made the score 44-33 which was the largest lead of the quarter. Shaffer made an additional three, late in the third, keeping the Lions at bay and keeping the Petrels' lead alive.

Anna Conza recorded a three increasing the score to 76-62, the biggest lead of the game. Melton assisted Rivera in the last point of the game, a layup, to finish the game 78-65. The Petrels only tied the Lions three times and never let up their lead.

Game Notes

• Battle, Phillip and Genny Rogers made their collegiate debut.
• Foster and Rivera were perfect from the free throw line.

Up Next

The Petrels are back on the road Wednesday, Nov. 12, to take on the LaGrange Panthers at 7 p.m. The first home game will be next Saturday when they take on Huntingdon at 4:30 p.m.