BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- The Bellevue University women's basketball era got off to a resounding start with an 85-48 victory over Crowley's Ridge College at the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Classic on Friday afternoon in the first game in program history.
The game was the season-opener for both schools.
Bellevue owned a 42-23 lead at halftime and never looked back in the second half.
Freshman Elexis Martinez etched her named into the record books as she became the first player to score in Bellevue women's basketball history when she scored 46 seconds into the game. She finished with 12 points and 5-for-10 shooting.
Ryleigh McCartney scored a team-high 18 points and 5-of-8 shooting which included a 4-for-7 effort from beyond the arc.
Senior Beth Walker found herself in familiar territory. She notched a double-double in her first career basketball game after compiling 68 on the volleyball court. She finished the game second on the team with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Junior Caletria Curtis scored nine points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Classmate Taylor Cormier scored eight points and dished out a team- and game-high five assists.
All nine Bellevue players in uniform scored and grabbed a rebound on the game. Sierra Roberts and Angeliece Tucker each scored eight points, Christen Voyles scored seven, and Cassidy Hubbs added a free throw.
Hannah Willard led Crowley's Ridge with 19 points and eight rebounds. Elly Burell added nine points and Bug Johnson chipped in seven for the Pioneers.
Bellevue shot 34.2 percent (28-for-82) from the floor for the game to CRC's 29.6 percent shooting effort. The Bruins connected on 71.4 percent (20-for-28) of their free throw attempts.
BU held a substantial 58-36 advantage in rebounding and turned the ball over 17 times while the Pioneers turned it over 29 times.
The Bruins return to the hardwood tomorrow for a 2 p.m. game against Southwestern Assemblies of God University.
