FRESNO, CALIF.- The Sonoma State Seawolves officially have begun their 2024-2025 basketball season with a well balanced victory over the Penguins of Dominican University! It was a total team effort that saw multiple players reach double figures in scoring while putting together a great defensive effort to emerge victorious in today's neutral site showdown.

A trio of players paved the way on offense, Jayme Blackard leading all scorers for the day. Blackard scored a game high 14 points on efficient 6-9 shooting from the floor. Blackard was also active on the glass pulling down nine boards coming up just short for a double-double. Alysa Lopez and Madisyn Clark both scored 10 points apiece as well. Clark hit 50% of her field goal attempts and knocked down both of her free throws. She was able to get in double figures despite playing under 20 minutes. Lopez did most of her damage from deep hitting a game high two threes. She also snagged four rebounds and blocked a shot for good measure. 

In terms of the team's rebounding effort it was outstanding with six players grabbing at least four rebounds. Sheriene Arikat was second on the team with five rebounds while Abbey Hadsell and Eryn Gardner each grabbed four as well. In fact, Hadsell managed two offensive boards and earned eight free throws resulting in six makes from the charity stripe. 

For the game the Seawolves scored 36 points via the second unit. They also won the rebounding battle convincingly as they outrebounded the Penguins by 10. The team's defensive effort was stellar as well as they held the Penguins to a highly ineffective 25.4% from the floor and 11.1% from three. They also forced 19 turnovers while blocking four shots and swiping eight steals. Three of said steals came courtesy of Meredith Gilbertson in her 17 minutes of action.

Game one is officially in the books and is marked as a convincing win. The team now turns their attention to tommorows matchup against Fresno Pacific. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 PM inside The Special Events Center!