ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Ripon's women's basketball team couldn't have had a better start to the 2017-18 season Friday night, as they defeated Marian University 89-35 on the first day of the Webster University Tournament. The Red Hawks shot 44 percent (31-71) from the field, while converting 47 percent (7-15) of their 3-pointers, while holding Marian to just 24 percent (8-34) shooting, including 16 percent (2-13) in the second half.

Ripon (1-0) scored early and often, as Emma McDonald connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to begin the game, which was part of a 10-0 run in the first three and a half minutes. The Red Hawks out-scored Marian 29-5 in the opening period. Ripon never led by less than 22 points the rest of the day, taking a 47-21 lead into halftime.

The Red Hawks began the second half like they began the first, scoring the first 13 points of the third quarter, while also outscoring Marian (1-1) in the third quarter by a 24-7 margin. They also outscored the Sabres 42-14 in the second half.

Ripon held a 48-29 rebounding edge, while also forcing 35 Marian turnovers, which the Red Hawks turned into 38 points. Maggie Oimoen led the way with a team-high 16 points for the Red Hawks, to go along with six rebounds (three offensive). Freshmen Natalie Geiger, Megan Dille, and Jesi Nay added 10 points, while Alyassa Burgess recorded a team-high five assists. Dille and McDonald tied for the team-high in rebounds with eight.

Marian had just one player score in double figures as Brandi Bender scored a game-high 18 points. Molly Magnus was second on the team with five points.

Ripon will be in action again on Saturday when they'll face Webster at 3 p.m. in St. Louis. That game can be seen live at https://www.youtube.com/user/Gorloks/videos?flow=grid&view=2&live_view=500, with LiveStats available at http://websterathletics.com/sports/2008/4/15/LIVESTATSforMULTIPLEGAMES.aspx.