Grand Rapids, Mich. - Buoyed by 22 points from Antoinette Mussorici and Karlee Feldman's double-double, the Maryville women's basketball team began the 2023-24 season with a 59-52 victory at Davenport. Feldman finished with 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds Friday afternoon. The Saints took advantage at the free-throw line and converted 21 at the stripe.

Davenport recap
Tied at 11-11 late in the opening quarter, Karlee Feldman sank two free throws, and Carsyn Fearday drained a 3-pointer for a 16-11 lead. Antoinette Mussorici hit the first bucket of the second quarter for an 18-11 edge. The Panthers closed to 20-17 before the Saints went tallied the final five points heading into halftime. Annika Pluemer splashed in a trey, and Jenna Cotter powered up for a bucket in the paint and a 25-17 margin at intermission.
 
The Saints still were up by nine before back-to-back triples pushed the margin to double digits. Mussorici knocked down her second of the game, and Haidyn Pitsch followed from deep for a 33-21 advantage. Mussorici's layup built Maryville's largest gap to 14 midway through the third. Davenport closed to 44-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Panthers got as close as 48-43 before Pluemer knocked down a 3-pointer to restore the Maryville margin to eight with six minutes to play. Davenport scored five straight points but Mussorici answered with a drive and bucket for a 53-48 lead. Feldman and Fearday both split a pair of free throws as the Saints rebuilt a 55-48 edge with 2:01 remaining. The Panthers trimmed their deficit to 57-52 in the final minute. The Saints sank free throws in the waning seconds to preserve the win.

Statistical Leaders
Points: Antoinette Mussorici - 22
Rebounds: Karlee Feldman - 13
Assists: Gracie Stugart - 5
3-Pointers: Antoinette Mussorici and Annika Pluemer - 2
Steals: four players - 2
Blocked Shots: Karlee Feldman - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 1-0
Davenport: 0-1
 
What's Next?
The Saints close out their two-game swing through Michigan with a contest at No. 3 Grand Valley State on Saturday.