PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — Laine McGurk scored 33 points and Deja Evans recorded a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Drexel Dragons to a 68-60 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers in a season-opening women’s basketball game on Tuesday night at Petersen Events Center.

The Dragons, who led for nearly the entire contest, used a strong first half and weathered a third-quarter surge by the Panthers to secure the road win in front of an announced crowd of 638.

Drexel established control early, leading 12-10 after a tightly contested first quarter. The Dragons then stretched their advantage by outscoring Pittsburgh 18-13 in the second period, taking a 30-27 lead into halftime.

The Panthers emerged from the break with their best offensive stretch, erupting for 22 points in the third quarter. A driving layup by Nylah Wilson in the final seconds of the period cut Drexel’s lead to 49-47 heading into the final frame.

Pittsburgh briefly took its first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter, but Drexel responded with a decisive 8-0 run, capped by a McGurk 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining, to reclaim a lead it would not relinquish. The Dragons sealed the game by making critical free throws in the final minute.

McGurk’s game-high 33 points came on an efficient shooting night for the Dragons’ guard, who also grabbed five rebounds. Evans was a force in the paint, with her 16 rebounds anchoring Drexel’s effort on the glass. Grace O’Neill contributed five assists and four points, including key free throws down the stretch.

Pittsburgh was led by Mikayla Johnson, who scored 19 points. Fatima Diakhate added seven points and eight rebounds, while Lauren Rust chipped in six rebounds and four points.

The win gives Drexel a 1-0 start to the season, while Pittsburgh begins 0-1. The Panthers were projected as heavy favorites to win the game by Interstat’s ELO system, which gave them a 72 percent probability of victory.

Drexel travels to face Marist on Friday. Pittsburgh’s next game is at home against Mount Saint Mary’s on Saturday.