PLEASANTVILLE N.Y. -- Friday night, the Pace University women's basketball team began the 2023-24 season with a 72-67 win over Bloomfield University at the Goldstein Fitness Center.

It was a slow start for each side with the score tied at 13 following the first quarter. As expected, the rust needed to be shaken off from the long off-season.

Pace found momentum early in the second quarter behind Arianna Stockinger's stream of three-pointers. The Bears would keep it close, behind seven second-quarter points from Taneshia Tucker giving Bloomfield the lead at the half 31-30.

Pace outscored Bloomfield 42-36 in the second half, including a 10-0 run in the third quarter led by five points from Tower Lorde and Stockinger. They would take a 53-50 lead into the final quarter after a jumper from Shanice Sinclair ended Bloomfield's run.

In the final minutes, Pace took control with seven points from Ciara Collins and would wrap up their first win of the season 72-67. The Setter's perimeter defense made it a difficult night for the Bears shooting just 4-20 (20%) from three-point range.

Bloomfield was led by junior Taneshia Tucker supplying 30 points and two blocks while going a perfect 10-10 from the line.

Pace's offensive was highlighted by 17 points from Morgan Ryan who knocked down five shots from three-point range. The tandem of Stockinger (14 pts), Lorde (13 pts), and Shanice Sinclair (12 pts) also helped lift the Setters to victory.

Pace continues the season tomorrow night at home against Caldwell University.