GREENVILLE, Ill. - The Spalding University (3-2, 1-0) women's basketball team won their SLIAC opener over Greenville College, 59-50, Thursday night in Greenville, Illinois.  

Kayla Styles had a solid all-around game tallying 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks. Brandy Hunter also finished in double figures with 13 points going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Claire Schmitt led Greenville (1-3, 0-1) with a team-high 13 points, and Miranda Murray added 11 points before fouling out of the game.

The Lady Eagles were able to overcome a poor shooting night (28.8%) by crashing the glass. SU out-rebounded the Panthers 56-41, including a 27-13 advantage offensive boards. The Golden Eagles also locked Greenville down on defense holding the Panthers to 31.5% shooting, and forced 19 turnovers, 13 coming on steals.

Styles knocked down a jumper on the first possession of the game to get Spalding on the scoreboard. Jessica Guy scored SU's next three points to give SU a 5-0 lead, and Spalding stretched their lead to 12 points following a Hunter three-pointer with 6:08 to play in the half. However, the Panthers closed out the half with a 13-3 run, and the game was knotted 30-30 at halftime.

A Guy jumper gave SU a 32-30 lead to begin the half, but a pair of Schmitt free throws tied the game with 18:09 to play. Both teams traded baskets over the next seven minutes until SU scored eight unanswered points taking a 47-39 lead on a Maya Hardin free throw at the 7:51 mark. Greeville's Taylor Paulin connected on a triple to cut the Golden Eagle lead to five, but Dee
Dee Sliter converted five free throws down the stretch to help SU top the Panthers, 59-50.

The Lady Eagles will be back in action Saturday, December 6 against MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. EST.