TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's basketball narrowly fell to Berea College in their season opener 65-61.
The Fightin' Engineers battled Berea to only a one-point deficit at the halftime break. Berea opened the half and took an eight-point lead, but
Jordan Barlow and
Ashley Black scored eight combined points to knot the game 35-35.
After that, neither team led by more than six points. Berea ended the game on a 9-2 run to secure the eventual four-point victory.
Barlow led the offensive attack with 20 points, which ties her career-high, shooting 7-12 from the floor and 6-6 from the foul stripe. She also added eight rebounds and three blocks.
Jamie Baum recorded a double-double in her first collegiate contest with 13 points and 10 rebounds, including shooting 6-13 from the field.
Kahlan Jester recorded a game-high five assists.
Rose Burnham added nine points and eight rebounds for the Fightin' Engineers.
Despite Rose-Hulman dominating in the paint in rebounds (43-34) and scoring in the paint (38-14), it was free throws by Berea that proved the difference in the game. The Mountaineers finished 22-24 from the line, with 10 coming from Aaliyah Hampton. Berea was led in scoring by Hampton with 26 points. Destiny Combs recorded a double-double of her own, adding 10 rebounds to her 24 points.
The Engineers hit the road for nearly one month, beginning with the North Park Classic in Chicago, Ill. on November 19-20. The women's hoops team will return to Hulbert Arena on December 11 to battle the Lions of Mount St. Joseph.
