MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College women's basketball unofficially opened its season on Friday, handing the Gaiters from Bishop's University a 78-47 loss in an exhibition game at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.

Box Score | Highlights

Saint Anselm sprinted out to a 29-16 lead after the first quarter and didn't look back, scoring 23 additional points in the second quarter to capture a 52-25 lead at the break. Bishop's came out of the locker room strong with 14 points in the third quarter, but the hosts held on for the convincing victory.

Junior Shannon Ryan (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) opened her second season on the Hilltop with 23 points, reeling in 14 rebounds. Sophomore Grace Guachione (Pittsfield, Mass.) poured home 21 points with classmate Peyton Steinman (Pittsfield, Mass.) tallying 14 points of her own. Guachione also led the team with five assists.

A free throw by Maude Archambault cut the Gaiters deficit to 13-9 with only 5:25 to go in the first quarter, but Saint Anselm rattled off the game's next 16 points to record a 29-9 lead with under two minutes to go.

A 15-0 run by Saint Anselm in the second quarter elevated the Hawks to a 47-21 advantage, keyed by eight-straight points by Guachione. The Hawks reserves played the majority of the second half and performed admirably as freshman Stephanie Jankovic (Averill Park, N.Y.) had five second-half points for her team.

The Hawks host Dominican (N.Y.) on Friday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the regular-season opener.