DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's basketball team opened the season at home on Saturday, taking on the Marian University Sabres. The Spartans led throughout the game, en route to a 66-51 victory inside the Stoltz Sports Center.

The Spartans opened the first quarter on a 12-0 run that was capped off by a layup from transfer center Brynn Haas, in her first game as a Spartan. The Spartans held the Sabres scoreless in the first 5:30 of the opening quarter and finished off the first 10 minutes up 22-8. The Spartans led by as many as 19 points late in the second quarter, before a 4-0 run by the Sabres trimmed the Spartans lead to 15 at the half. 

In the third quarter, the Sabres were able to outscore the Spartans in the first 10 minutes of the second half by four and trimmed the lead to just 11. The Spartans defended well in the fourth quarter, allowing only eight points and 20% shooting by the Sabres to finish off the game with a 15-point victory.

Samantha McDonald led all-scorers with 16 in just her fourth game starting in her short career. The Dubuque native was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line and was active on the defensive end with a game-high six steals. The games leading rebounder was Kaitlyn Powell off the bench, finishing with 11 rebounds (five offensive rebounds). 

The Spartans forced 21 steals and 31 total Sabres turnovers and turned them into 31 points on the offensive end. 

Up Next
The Spartans will play the first of two games at the Paul F. Knueppel Classic again next Friday, November 15 against No. 8/13 UW-Oshkosh at 5:00 p.m. from the Time of Grace Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.