WEST POINT, N.Y. – On Monday evening, Pace University Women's Basketball opened its 2025-26 campaign with an exhibition matchup against Division I Army West Point, falling 86-50 inside Christl Arena. The contest served as the Setters' first live action of the season as they gear up for Northeast 10 Conference play later this month.
Pace came out competitive in the opening quarter, using early scoring from
Cali Chiocchi and a three-pointer from
Anisa Akinola to stay within range.
Ciara Collins powered the Setters' offense with six first-quarter points, including a fast-break jumper off a steal to make it 10-9 midway through the frame. The Setters drew even twice at 5-5 and 16-16, but the hosts closed the period ahead, 20-16.
In the second, Collins continued to pace the attack, and Chiocchi connected from deep to bring Pace within one at 19-20. A late three from Collins and a jumper by
Ciera Cevallos helped the Setters to 29 by intermission, though Army carried a 38-29 advantage to the locker room.
The third quarter proved decisive as Army outscored Pace 26-12. Collins opened the half with a layup, and
Mari Lee added a mid-range jumper, but the hosts' perimeter surge widened the margin. Collins drilled another three with 3:07 left in the frame to stem the tide before the Setters entered the fourth trailing 64-41.
Pace kept competing to the finish, getting points from Collins, Akinola at the stripe, and
Morgan Ryan in the lane, before the 86-50 final.
By the numbers, Collins led all Setters with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, a perfect 2-for-2 from three, and 2-for-2 at the line. Akinola added eight points and a team-high six rebounds, while Cevallos chipped in six off the bench.
Chiocchi and Ryan scored five apiece, and
Grace Ziogas totaled four points with four assists and three rebounds in 36 minutes. Lee contributed two points, three boards, and a block. As a team, Pace shot 39.6 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from distance.
Pace begins the regular season in Garden City, N.Y., at the Adelphi Conference Challenge, facing Dominican University of New York on Friday, Nov. 14 at 6:00 p.m., followed by Caldwell University on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3:00 p.m.
