BUFFALO – The D'Youville University women's basketball team defeated Roberts Wesleyan University in their ECC opener Wednesday night, scrapping their way to a 54-51 victory.
 
Sophomore Morgan Giancaterino (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and junior Stella Mollica (Shillington, Pa.) led the scoring for the Saints, each scoring 11 points. Mollica also turned in an outstanding defensive performance, recording a season-high four steals. Junior Anna Jankovic (Averill Park, N.Y.) recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
 
Junior Jaelyn Vleer-Elliott (Waterville, N.Y.) got the scoring started for the Saints with a layup in the first minute of play. After Roberts Wesleyan went scored five straight points, Giancaterino gave DYU the lead back with a layup. Sophomore Isabella Kostyal-Larrier (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) scored four straight points for the Saints to put them ahead 10-9 with 2:47 left in the first quarter. DYU closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 12-9 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
The second quarter was a defensive battle. The Redhawks went on a 7-2 run to retake the lead with less than four minutes left until halftime. Giancaterino knotted things back up at 16 with a layup with 2:33 to go. A layup from senior Brianne Moxley (Penfield, N.Y.) put the Saints back in front going into the locker room.
 
Roberts retook the lead three minutes into the third quarter after a layup and three-pointer. The Saints quickly regained momentum thanks to a layup from Giancaterino and a three-ball from junior Sofie Fuglsang (Oberanven, Luxembourg). The Redhawks retook control with a 6-0 run to go up 28-25 with just over three minutes remaining. An ensuing 12-2 run from the Saints would put them ahead in part to two layups from senior Carla Torrubia Cano (Melilla, Spain), two free throws from Mollica, and a trey ball from Moxley. DYU headed into the fourth quarter with a 37-33 lead.
 
A mid-range jumper from Mollica followed by a layup and three free throws from Jankovic put the Saints up by eight one minute into the final frame. A layup and three-pointer from Giancaterino gave DYU an 11-point lead with just less than five minutes left to play. The Redhawks proceeded to reel off a 10-1 run to cut it to a two-point game with 1:25 remaining. Mollica was able to put the game away with four made free throws in the final minute to seal the road win for the Saints.
 
Up next for the Saints is another road test when they travel to Grand Valley State University at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.