Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Basketball Team (1-0) kicked off the 2016-17 season in convincing fashion with a 71-29 win over Warren Wilson (4-2) Wednesday evening at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

Lenoir-Rhyne was led by sophomore forward Madi Suddreth (Taylorsville, N.C.) with a game-high 16 points while senior center Chelsey Romero (Hampton, Va.) added eight points and 12 rebounds as the Bears held a 70-28 advantage in rebounding and held the Owls to just three points in both the second and fourth periods in the victory.

Warren Wilson was led by Danasia Dumas (Mount Gilead, N.C.) with 14 points and four rebounds while Jada McCrimmon (North Wilkesboro, N.C.) scored five points but the Owls were held to just 19 percent shooting (11-of-57) for the game.

Senior forward Alecia Bell (Newport News, Va.) added eight points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Bears, who outscored the Owls by 20 points in the fourth and final period to turn the contest into a rout.

Twelve players scored for Lenoir-Rhyne, who also blocked six shots on the night and broke a school record for rebounds in a game. The previous mark was 66 against UNC Charlotte on February 6, 1978.

Lenoir-Rhyne opens South Atlantic Conference play on Tuesday, November 22, at 4:00 p.m., against Wingate in Wingate, N.C. Warren Wilson faces Alice Lloyd College on the road on Saturday in Pippa Passes, Kentucky.