Women's Hoops Falls In 2016-17 Season Opener To Philadelphia University, 57-46

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport women's basketball team fell in its 2016-17 season opener at home on Saturday afternoon, as the Purple Knights were defeated by the visiting Philadelphia University Rams, 57-46, in the UB Women's Basketball Crossover Classic.  Saturday's contest was also the Rams first outing of 2016-17.

The visitors broke a 24-24 halftime tie with an 11-2 run to open the third quarter to give the Rams a 35-26 lead which the never relinquished.  Philadelphia U. outscored UB, 33-21, in the second half.

Senior Aaliyah Mercer (Bronx, N.Y.) led the Purple Knights in scoring and rebounding with 13 points and eight boards, plus she added five assists. 

Three other Bridgeport players, seniors Camera Miley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Evelyn Ovner (Vallentuna, Sweden ) plus junior Aurelie Leblanc-Florent (Longueuil, Quebec, Canada), each had eight points in Saturday's loss.

Philadelphia's Erin Maher led all scorers in the game with 19 points, and teammate Jessica Kaminski had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Both teams will be back in action on Sunday to close out the 2016 UB Women's Basketball Crossover Classic, as the rams will face Queens (N.Y.) College at 12 noon; while UB will take on Southern Connecticut State at 4:00 p.m.