Union, N.J. (11/21/13) – Senior Simone Smith led all players with 23 points as the Kean University women's basketball team sprinted past Baptist Bible College in their home opener by the final of 86-53. 

Sophomore Jazmine Davis was one assist shy of a double-double as she posted 11 rebounds in addition to three steals as one of 15 players who saw action in the contest.  The Cougars picked up their first win of the season (1-2) while the Defenders drop to 0-2.

Junior AnnaRose Pierre hit the first basket of the game and Kean didn't look back, as they led wire-to-wire.  The Cougars pushed the lead out to double-digits early, netting the first 16 points of the contest.  Rookie Erika Longwell broke up the streak with a basket at 16:05.  Kean held on to the double-digit margin for the remainder of the contest, leading by as many as 30 in the first half as junior Stephanie Carlone pushed the score to 43-13 with just over five minutes to go.

Smith and Carlone (pictured left) registered 12 and 10 points respectively in the first 20 minutes while sophomore Maeghin Mueller picked up eight for Baptist Bible.

Kean then controlled the second half, leading by as many as 40 on two separate occasions.

Rookie Jaquetta Owens tallied eight assists and six steals coming off the bench while sophomore Carissa Erdman led the Defenders with 16 points on the night.

The Cougars open up NJAC play on Saturday when they host Richard Stockton College at 3 p.m.