Middlebury College

The Middlebury women's basketball team was defeated by Skidmore 59-42 in its season opener. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Skidmore eased out to a 14-4 lead over the opening nine minutes, capped by a three-point field goal by Andi Levitz with 1:02 left in the opening quarter.
• Back-to-back baskets from Emily Downer and Katie Hollensteiner brought the Panthers to within six (14-8) headed to the second stanza.
• Kale Tornwini converted a layup 36 seconds into the second quarter to slice the deficit to four (14-10).
• The Thoroughbreds answered with a 13-2 run spanning 4:59 of action, grabbing a 27-12 lead on a jumper in the lane by Julia Blanck. 
• That advantage grew to 19 (33-14) in the waning seconds of the half of the stanza on a basket by Levitz.
• Skidmore opened the third stanza with a 10-3 spurt, taking a 43-17 advantage on a three from Cassie Davidson.
• Middlebury chipped away over the remainder of the frame, pulling to within 44-25 on a layup from Brooke Collins.
• The Panthers continued that momentum to start the fourth stanza, outscoring the visitors 15-7 over a stretch of 5:25. A layup from Bethany Lucey brought the score to 51-40 with 4:35 left.
• Skidmore posted eight of the last 10 points in the contest to secure the 59-42 victory. 

NOTES

• Alexa Mustafaj finished with a team-best 16 points for Middlebury. Those 16 markers give her 1,055 career points, moving her into seventh in the program's record books.
• Tornwini posted career-best totals in points (eight) and rebounds (seven).

The Panthers return to action on Tuesday when they host Vermont State University Lyndon beginning at 6:00 p.m.