GLENSIDE, Pa. – The Arcadia University women's basketball team open its 2016-17 campaign in triumphant fashion by picking up a 64-58 win over Gwynedd Mercy in the Battle of 309.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The contest was tight from the opening whistle with sophomore Susan Bossler posting the Knights' first points of the season by converting three straight free throws for a 3-2 lead just over a minute and a half in. With neither team able to being able to take full control, the first quarter came to a close with the Griffins leading 13-12. With 3:44 remaining in the second quarter, sophomore Olivia Roseman nailed a three to tie the game at 19. On the Knights' next possession, Bossler beat the shot clock with a three from the corner to give Arcadia a 22-19 lead. Heading into halftime, the score was tied at 24.
 
The Knights came out hot in the second half, going 8-11 from the field in the third quarter, including a perfect 3-3 from distance. In outscoring the opposition 22-8 over the first 7:54 of the quarter, freshman Sydney Cyr dropped eight points including a layup to put the Knights ahead 46-32 with 3:12 to go in the frame. The frosh played a key role in the beginning of the run with her first collegiate bucket coming from beyond the arc. The Knights held a six-point lead at 49-43 heading into the fourth quarter. Arcadia used a strong effort from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter going 8-10 in an evenly match 10 minutes of play.
 
ARCADIA LEADERS: Bossler led the way with 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, including 3-4 from three-point land. Three other Knights joined Bossler in double figures, with senior Maureen Fiocca posting 14 points, Roseman adding 12 and Cyr recording 11 in her collegiate debut. Senior Imani Alston pulled in a team-leading nine boards for Arcadia while dishing out a team-best eight dimes.
 
GWYNEDD MERCY LEADERS: Julianna Hoisington led the way in scoring for the Griffins with 16 points; however Charlotte Kucowski posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The Knights shot 36.7 percent from the field, 45 percent from beyond the arc and 73.1 percent from the charity stripe, while Gwynedd Mercy shot just 30.8 percent from the field and 24.2 percent from distance. The Griffins outscored Arcadia 16-14 in the paint and 12-8 in points off the bench , however the Knights scored 17 points off 17 turnovers.