The Blackburn College Women’s Basketball Team played in their home opener on Wednesday, December 3 against St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents from Mac Murray College. With a large crowd in the stands, the game proved to be a good one with neither team jumping out to a commanding lead throughout the game. The Highlanders of Mac Murray College prevailed in the end winning the game with a final score of 71-63.

The first half started with the teams going back and forth as it seemed the teams were trading baskets. Mac Murray college eventually went on a 17-7 run to make the score 21-11 but Blackburn answered with a 18-4 run of their own to put them back on top with a score of 29-25. The Highlanders outscored the Beavers 33-29 in the first half behind a balanced scoring attack. Mac Murray had three players with seven points and two players with six points at the half. Blackburn’s Aleisha Stiltner had 15 points and Briana Rae had seven points at the half.

The second half started with a huge 12-0 run by Mac Murray. Blackburn rallied back into striking distance but was never able to gain a lead in the second half. The Highlanders outscored Blackburn by a score of 38-34 in the second half.

The difference in the game seemed to be shooting as Mac Murray, as a team shot 45.6 percent from the field and Blackburn, as a team shot only 29.4 percent from the field. Blackburn was lead by senior, Briana Rae who had 20 points, 18 rebounds and six blocked shots. Sophomore, Aleisha Stiltner added 22 points and nine rebounds. Mac Murray was lead by Breezy Walton who had ten points and nine rebounds and Megan Duisen who had 17 points and six rebounds.

Blackburn will be back in action on Saturday, December 6 in a home contest against St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents from Iowa Wesleyan. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.