The Middlebury women's basketball team (1-0) opened its season with a dominating 87-29 performance over visiting Clarkson (0-1) on Saturday in the Middlebury Tip-Off Classic. Both teams are back in action on Sunday, with the Golden Knights taking on Babson at 1:00 p.m. and the Panthers squaring off against Keene State at 3:00 p.m. 
 
Middlebury scored 13 unanswered points to start the game, with Gianna Palli highlighting the run with a three and a layup. The Panthers went on a 12-0 run to close out the first quarter, capped on a layup from Augusta Dixon for a 25-2 lead.
 
The teams traded a pair of free throws each in the early minutes of the second quarter, making it 27-4. Clarkson tallied jumpers from Maddie Pratt and Mariah Benevides, but Middlebury closed out the half with a bucket  from Alexa Mustafaj, taking a 43-11 advantage heading into the break.

Out of the intermission, the Panthers scored six-unanswered points, before a three pointer from Golden Knight Lauryn Withrow made it 49-15. Middlebury went on an 8-0 run, capped by a pair of charity tosses and a jumper from Claire Miller. The Panthers continued increasing their lead, finishing the quarter with two free throws from Dixon to make it 65-18. 
 
Middlebury cruised in the fourth and final frame as they secured the 87-29 victory.
 
Mustafaj led all players with 24 points and seven steals and went 4-4 at the charity stripe. Miller tallied 14 points for the Panthers and pulled down eight rebounds. Reagan McDonald and Emily Downer each chipped in with 10 points, while McDonald went 6-7 in free throws. Palli grabbed seven boards during the win.
 
Withrow paced Clarkson with seven points, while Pratt had six. Ruthie Nolan snared eight boards for the Golden Knights.