CARLINVILLE, Ill. – The Spalding University women's basketball team picks up their first SLAIC win over Blackburn to extend their record to 1-0 in SLIAC play and 5-7 overall.
 
Natalie Fichter would start off the game with a dagger behind the arc to give SU a three-point lead. Spalding would continue the hot streak as the Golden Eagles would go up by five as Sydney Raque hits her first free throw but miss the second. As the Golden Eagles finished the first period, they would extend their lead minutes into the second period as Kamryn McMahon would hit both of her free throws moments after being fouled. Back-to-back threes by Meagan Hayden and Fichter would drive the Beavers away from the lead as the Golden Eagles were now up by 10. Ending the first half, the Golden Eagles were now up by 12 on the Beavers as Spalding would take advantage of fouls by the Beavers' defense.
 
Coming out of the half, Kailey Reed would drive the ball into the paint for a made layup, giving SU a 14-point lead. Although Blackburn cut the lead down to five, Fichter would bury another three on the assist from Kailey Reed. Molly Thompson would get sent to the line with 30 seconds remaining in the third as she would make her first shot and miss the second to give Spalding a nine-point lead. The Golden Eagles would walk away with the win as Fichter makes the last four points for the Golden Eagles on free throws with a score of 65-54.
 
Natalie Fichter would finish with a career high of 30 points with 10 rebounds as she shot 4-6 from beyond the arc for a double-double as Reed and finished with eight points, six assists, and two rebounds. McMahon also finished with eight points while bringing down four rebounds for the Golden Eagles.
 
Up next, the Golden Eagles will compete to go 2-0 in SLIAC play as they take on the Fontbonne Griffins at home on Saturday, January 8^th with a tipoff time at 1 pm ET.