BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Thiel College women's basketball team lost its season opener on the road Saturday 90-76 to the Buffalo State Bengals during the first day of competition in the Betty Abgott Invitational.
 
The Bengals jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and led the Tomcats 42-28 at halftime. Thiel kept pace with Buffalo Sate in the second half, 48-48, but was unable to put a dent in Buffalo State's 14-point halftime lead.
 
Thiel junior forward Jaclyn Watkins (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) scored a team-high 19 points to go along with eight rebounds while Taylor Ketler (Dalton, Ohio/Dalton) scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds. Freshman Brijae Journee (Cleveland, Ohio/Villa-Angela St. Joseph) also scored 12 points for the Tomcats.
 
Ashley Wallace scored a game-best 21 points for the Bengals while grabbing eight rebounds. Brittnee Perry scored 13 points while Jordan Yastremski notched a double-double with a game-high 14 rebounds and 11 points.
 
The Tomcats (0-1) will play Hamilton in the tournament consolation game Sunday at noon. Buffalo State will take on Ohio Wesleyan in the tournament championship game at 2 p.m.