MIAMI (Interstat) — The Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers used a dominant first quarter to build an insurmountable lead and cruised to a 68-48 victory over the Presbyterian Blue Hose in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Sunday at the WBB FIU Thanksgiving Classic.

The Retrievers, improving to 3-5 on the season, exploded for 25 points in the opening period while holding the Blue Hose to just six points in the second quarter, establishing a 39-24 halftime advantage that Presbyterian could not overcome. The Blue Hose fell to 2-7 with the loss.

Maryland-Baltimore County’s offense was efficient from the start, shooting 45.6 percent from the floor for the game and a sharp 50 percent from three-point range, making six of twelve attempts. Defensively, the Retrievers were a force at the rim, recording eight total blocks and disrupting numerous Presbyterian drives. The team also capitalized on mistakes, scoring 19 points off of 16 Blue Hose turnovers.

Presbyterian struggled offensively throughout the contest, shooting just 27.6 percent on 16-of-58 shooting. The Blue Hose managed only two three-pointers on twelve attempts and were hampered by their 16 turnovers against just seven assists. While they found some success at the free-throw line, making 14 of 19, their offensive rating of 63.1 points per 100 possessions paled in comparison to Maryland-Baltimore County’s mark of 99.9.

The game was effectively decided in the first ten minutes. Maryland-Baltimore County opened on a 14-0 run before Presbyterian finally got on the board. The Retrievers’ defense was stifling early, forcing several shot-clock violations and difficult attempts. Heidi Williams, who finished with 10 points, sparked the initial surge with a driving layup and a three-pointer.

Presbyterian showed brief signs of life in the third quarter, outscoring the Retrievers 15-13 over a stretch, but could never cut the deficit to single digits. Ja’Cia Cunningham led all scorers with 15 points for the Blue Hose in 26 minutes of action.

The Retrievers showcased a balanced scoring attack. Maisie Crowley provided a strong interior presence off the bench, contributing 10 points and seven rebounds in just 16 minutes, along with two blocks. Jade Tillman added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Alaina Williams filled the stat sheet with seven points, five rebounds and a block.

For Presbyterian, Cunningham was the lone consistent offensive threat. Aretha Linger added seven points and two blocks, and Ore Ogunwolere chipped in four points and five rebounds.

The Retrievers also controlled the paint, outscoring Presbyterian 36-24, and won the battle on the offensive glass with 11 rebounds leading to second-chance opportunities.

The game was part of a neutral-site event at Florida International University. Attendance was announced as 40.

Maryland-Baltimore County will look to build on the victory when they travel to face Morgan State on Saturday. Presbyterian will attempt to snap its losing streak on the road at Furman on Wednesday.