Ali Ringering poured in a career-high 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting as the Maryville women's basketball team opened the 2015-16 season with an 85-55 triumph over Fontbonne Saturday night in Moloney Arena.
 
The Saints were down 6-5 before scoring eight straight points to take a lead it would not surrender. Alex Hillyer converted three straight baskets, and Alex Wolf sank two free throws for a 13-6 lead. After Fontbonne hit two free throws, the Saints scored the last five points of the quarter. Wolf made one free throw, and Maya Solomon hit consecutive jumpers for an 18-8 lead after 10 minutes. The Griffins cut the deficit to 20-16 before the Saints got back-to-back triples from Ringering and a hoop from Stephanie Sherwood for a 28-16 lead. The Maryville margin stood at 35-23 before a 9-0 burst put the Saints comfortably ahead. Ringering drilled another 3-pointer and followed with a basket and two free throws. Ellen Foster sank two at the line for a 21-point lead, and the Saints settled for a 46-25 lead at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, Fontbonne scored to get the deficit under 20 but another Ringering 3-pointer built a 22-point edge. The Saints kept the lead at a minimum of 20 points and cruised in the fourth quarter to win the opener. Ten of the 11 Saints who played scored and every player recorded at least one rebound.
 
Ringering knocked down 5-of-6 shots from behind the arc to pace the Maryville attack. Hillyer added 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds, and Wolf contributed 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. Foster led the Saints with six assists. The Saints finished with 23 assists on 29 baskets and recorded 19 steals. DeAmbra Pilkinton led Fontbonne with 12 points. The Saints took advantage of their trips to the line and hit 20-of-22 at the charity stripe.
 
The Saints (1-0) are next in action Monday as they host Hannibal-LaGrange in a 6 p.m. game.