WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OPENS SEASON WITH VICTORY OVER HILBERT

AURORA, N.Y. – Three different players scored in double figures as the Wells College women's basketball team cruised to an opening night 67-51 victory over the Hilbert College Hawks on Tuesday evening in Aurora. Kristen Ryan (Syracuse, N.Y.) led the way for the Express finishing with a game high 21 points to go along with five rebounds. Jenah Labuski (Horseheads, N.Y.) led the Hawks with 11 points and nine rebounds. With the victory the Express improve to 1-0 on the season while the Hawks fall to 0-1.

Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y.) and Jessilyn Artaho-Aki (Kappa, Hawaii) also had an impressive game for the Express. Roser added a double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, while Artaho-Aki chipped in with 16 points and seven assists.

The Express never trailed in the game and would be rarely challenged. Wells opened with a 7-0 run and would see Hilbert climb back to within one (9-8) at the 13:16 mark of the first half but that would be as close as the Hawks would come as the Express pulled away, capping a terrific half with a 3-pointer by Artaho-Aki, giving Wells a commanding 14 point (36-22) first half lead.

Ryan came alive in the second half, scoring 13 of her 21 points in the half, including two 3-pointers that would help the Express build a lead as large as 22 points.

The Hawks were their own worst enemy finishing just 1 of 13 from behind the arc while shooting a dismal 28.6 percent from the field. The Express were much more efficient from the floor shooting 46.2 percent including 4 of 11 from behind the arc. The Hawks held a slim 43-41 advantage on the boards.

The Express return to action this Friday when they take on Oswego State at 6 p.m. in game one of the 2011 Oswego State Max Ziel Women's Basketball Tournament and Classic held in Oswego, N.Y.