Guards Gianna Gilmore and Aryanna Brent just missed posting double doubles Friday as the Mary Baldwin women's basketball team opened its 2023-24 USA South Athletic Conference season with a 60-50 setback to visiting William Peace.

Brent, who shared team-high scoring honors with junior Imari Knight, each with 14 scores, grabbed nine rebounds, four of MBU's eight steals and three of the team's seven assists.  Gilmore grabbed a team-best 13 rebounds, including 11 on the defensive boards, and added nine points. 

As a team, MBU held a 64-59 rebounding advantage, with LaNadia Tarpley and Angel Crowder (seven points) each grabbing nine caroms and Knight controlling eight misses.

William Peace, which led 28-21 at halftime but used a 24-12 advantage in the third quarter to pull away from the hosts, were led by Allye Woodruff with 24 points (six three-point goals) and Tanaesha Ellison with 22 scores and a game-high 15 rebounds.

The Fighting Squirrels are back in action Saturday (11/18) when they host USA South Conference rival Methodist at 3 p.m.