ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — The University at Albany women’s basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with a commanding victory Tuesday night, overwhelming the Marist Red Foxes from the opening tip and cruising to a 74-46 win before a crowd of 1,338 at SEFCU Arena.

The Great Danes, heavily favored by statistical models entering the contest, lived up to their billing with a dominant performance on both ends of the floor. The game was never in doubt as Albany built a double-digit lead in the first half and continued to extend it after halftime, showcasing a deep and internationally-flavored roster that controlled the tempo throughout.

Marist, which began its season with a loss, struggled to find any consistent offensive rhythm against Albany’s stifling defense. The Red Foxes were held to single-digit scoring in the first quarter and could not mount a significant challenge.

The tone was set early. Albany erupted for 17 points in the opening period, establishing a firm grip on the game by holding Marist to just nine points. The Great Danes’ offensive firepower only intensified in the second quarter, where they poured in 22 points. In contrast, Marist managed only 13, sending the teams into the locker room with Albany holding a commanding 39-22 advantage.

Any hopes of a Marist comeback were extinguished in the third quarter. Albany maintained its relentless pace, adding 20 more points to its total while limiting the Red Foxes to just 10. The quarter underscored Albany’s sustained dominance, as they entered the final period with a 59-32 lead. Both teams traded baskets in a more subdued fourth quarter, with Marist scoring 14 points to Albany’s 15, but the outcome had long been decided.

The victory was a collective effort for the Great Danes, who featured key contributions from across their lineup. Gabriela Falcao, a 6-foot-1 forward from Figueira da Foz, Portugal, led the charge for Albany. She was instrumental in the paint, controlling the boards and providing a reliable scoring presence.

She was complemented effectively by Emma Zuccon, a 6-foot guard from Treviso, Italy, whose all-around game caused problems for the Marist defense. Laura Vera, a 5-11 guard from Estepona, Spain, also played a pivotal role, facilitating the offense and applying constant defensive pressure.

The homegrown talent also shined for Albany, with Bella Stuart, a 5-11 guard from nearby Clifton Park, New York, making significant plays on both ends of the court. Amaya Stewart, a 6-1 forward from West Reading, Pennsylvania, provided a strong interior presence alongside Falcao.

The depth of the Great Danes was on full display, with guards Julia Palomo of La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, Anais Levasseur of Québec, Canada, Lara Langermann of Breckerfeld, Germany, and Delanie Hill of Charlotte, North Carolina, all seeing meaningful minutes and contributing to the team’s cohesive performance. Emma Hakonardottir, a 5-11 guard from Thorlakshofn, Iceland, rounded out the international contingent that powered Albany to the decisive win.

For Marist, the season opener revealed significant challenges on the offensive end. The team could not piece together a sustained run and was held below 50 points for the game. The Red Foxes will look to regroup and secure their first victory of the young season in their home opener.

With the loss, Marist begins its campaign 0-1. The team will return to action Friday when it hosts Drexel. That game is the first in a string of ten consecutive contests, which includes home games against Bryant, Holy Cross, Stony Brook, and Monmouth. A notable non-conference test awaits on Nov. 28 when the Red Foxes travel to face the LSU Tigers in a neutral-site game at Charlotte Amalie West in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The upcoming schedule also features road games at Lafayette, Binghamton, and Mount Saint Mary’s before a home date with Quinnipiac on Dec. 21.

Albany, now 1-0, will immediately face a stiffer test as it prepares to hit the road. The Great Danes’ next contest is a short trip to face in-state rival Syracuse on Friday. Their upcoming slate includes a home game against Dartmouth on Nov. 10, a road game at Rhode Island on Nov. 15, and a Capital Region showdown with Siena at home on Nov. 19. The team will also travel to face Saint Bonaventure and has home games against Rensselaer and Boston University mixed into a schedule that features road tests at Bucknell, Sacred Heart, and Colgate throughout the early part of December.

The victory provided a strong start for an Albany program with high expectations, confirming the projections that gave them an overwhelming probability to win. The team’s depth, international experience, and defensive intensity were simply too much for Marist to handle on opening night.