(at DeSales)  /  (vs. Springfield)

11/17-18/07 -- Widener opened its season with a pair of losses at the Starter's Pub Tip-Off Tournament in Center Valley, PA.

Widener on Saturday dropped an 81-59 contest to DeSales before an 86-74 setback on Sunday against Springfield.

Against DeSales, the Pride in the second half shot 52 percent (14-of-27) from the floor and nailed six 3-pointers. But it was not enough to overcome a 38-12 halftime deficit after hitting only 24 percent (5-of-21) in the first half.

Junior Megan Sipple (Boothwyn, PA) scored 16 points and freshman Laura Carson (Downingtown, PA) added eight for the Pride.

Sipple again played solidly on Sunday to make the all-tournament team. She ended with 12 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists. Barbara Fleming (Philadelphia, PA) scored 13 points, one off her career high, with fellow junior Beth Dessart Mager (Newtown Square, PA) and sophomore Rayne Reber (Pottstown, PA) adding 12 apiece.

Freshman Emily Brill (Drexel Hill, PA) added 11 points for Widener, which was held to only 33 percent (22-of-67) shooting and was 11-of-34 from 3-point range. Springfield shot 61 percent (11-of-18) from the floor in the second half and 49 percent (22-of-45) overall.

Widener plays three of its next four games at home, beginning Saturday against Neumann at 1:00 pm.