The St. Lawrence University women's basketball team opened 2023 with a 74-54 win over the Canton Roos on Monday evening on Stan Cohen Court.

Olivia Middleton scored a layup on the opening possession, and buckets by Olivia Barringer and Hannah Van Dyke gave the Saints an early six-point lead. After ten minutes, the score was even at 16. The Saints found their rhythm in the second quarter and scored nine out of the first 10 points. They went into the break with an 11-point cushion.

Barringer had 10 first half points, going a perfect four for four from the field and two for two from the line. She also came down with five rebounds.

After the Scarlet and Brown came up with a defensive stop, Van Dyke hit a shot from deep to extend the lead to 14. Anytime the Roos hit consecutive baskets, the Saints quelled any momentum with points of their own, and with ten minutes to play St. Lawrence led 49-40.

The Saints scored the first eight-points of the fourth quarter and quickly pushed their lead to 17, and the game was never closer than a dozen. Van Dyke and Kristen Varin hit back-to-back 3-pointers with under two minutes to play to lead 70-47, their biggest lead of the night, and the Saints would go on to win 74-54.

"Our depth was the key to tonight's victory," said head coach Dan Roiger. " We were able to dominate the second and fourth quarters because we just kept bringing in fresh players and keeping the pressure on. I also thought we played outstanding team basketball as evidenced by our 21 assists and only 12 turnovers while scoring 28 buckets. That's a good sign that we are starting to understand our offense more. It's good to be back playing games after the break and getting ready for league games after another non-conference game tomorrow versus Potsdam."

Barringer finished with 14 points and eight rebounds to lead St. Lawrence. Van Dyke had 13 points and four boards. Jackie Malley finished with nine points and eight rebounds, and Middleton had a game-high seven assists.

Hope Aniceto had a game-high 18 points to lead the Roos, and Samantha Dayter, Sophia Munoz, and Joie Culkin each had eight.

The Saints have a quick turnaround, and host SUNY Potsdam on January 3^rd at 7:30 p.m.

St. Lawrence improved to 5-2 with the win, and Canton fell to 6-7.