CHESTER, Pa. – Women's Basketball opened its 2026-27 season in impressive fashion on Friday night, rolling past the Pacers of Marywood University, 87-61, in the opening game of the TFD Consulting Tip-Off Tournament.
The Pride begin the season 1-0.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Liliana Metrick led all Widener scorers with 16 points, connecting on four three-pointers and shooting 4-for-6 from beyond the arc.
- Ava Culler recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, while adding two blocks and two steals.
- Jayla Daniels finished with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
- Riley Stackhouse added nine points and four assists, while Megan Jacoby also contributed nine points, knocking down all three of her three-point attempts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Widener came out firing to open the season, scoring the first seven points of the game behind baskets from Riley Stackhouse and Jayla Daniels before Megan Jacoby knocked down a three-pointer. The Pride continued to build their advantage, using a strong defensive stretch to create turnovers and convert them into points. Stackhouse scored nine points in the quarter, while Ava Culler added a pair of baskets and a free throw. Breelynn Leary capped the quarter with a three-pointer, helping Widener take a 28-13 lead into the second quarter.
- The Pride maintained control in the second quarter, extending their lead with contributions from throughout the lineup. Giada Palmieri scored twice inside to open the quarter, while Daniels added a layup to push Widener's advantage to 34-15. Marywood responded with a short run to cut into the deficit, but Culler answered with a basket in the paint before Metrick caught fire from beyond the arc. Metrick connected on four three-pointers in the quarter, including three in the final two minutes, as Widener built a 50-24 lead at halftime.
- Widener continued to build on its halftime advantage, opening the second half with a three-pointer from Jacoby. Daniels and Mia Elisano added baskets, while Jacoby connected from beyond the arc again to help the Pride extend their lead to 60-30. Culler made her presence felt on both ends of the floor, adding points in the paint and a block. Widener continued to get contributions throughout the lineup, with Dyanara Valenzuela-Ruz knocking down a three-pointer and Metrick converting four free throws late in the quarter. The Pride carried a 79-43 lead into the final quarter.
- Marywood opened the final quarter with a basket from Anyah Ortiz, but Widener maintained its comfortable lead while getting valuable minutes from its bench. Margrit Pelto connected on a three-pointer, and JilliAnn Laws followed with a basket to keep the Pride ahead. Dyanara Valenzuela-Ruz added the final basket with less than a minute remaining, as Widener closed out an 87-61 victory to begin the season 1-0.
UP NEXT
The Pride continue their TFD Consulting Tip-Off Tournament tomorrow, Saturday, November 7, competing in the championship game at 3 p.m. versus Salisbury University
