TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Berea College relied on a fast start and a strong defensive effort to top Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 71-30 in the Fightin' Engineer women's basketball season opener on Saturday.

Berea, which finished 22-4 last season and improved to 5-1 this year, led 25-9 after the first quarter and held the Engineers to nine field goals with a solid defensive performance.

Hannah Woody and Nosa Igiehon led the Rose-Hulman offense with seven points each.  Igiehon had a team-high eight rebounds, and Jordan Barlow paced the squad with two blocked shots.

Avery Lewman added six points for the Fightin' Engineers and Desirae Webster scored four points.

Aaliyah Hampton led Berea with 18 points and Bailee Vanover added 13 for the Mountaineers.

Rose-Hulman travels to the University of Chicago on Tuesday evening.