GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's basketball team tipped off the 2015-16 campaign – and the Margaret White era – with a 65-43 setback at the hands of host Gwynedd Mercy in the opening round of the Gwynedd Mercy University Tournament this evening. Senior forward Jessica Porada (Morristown, N.J./Morris Catholic) led the Bears with 14 points.

In its first contest under the new quarter format, Urinus (0-1) played the home side to a 12-all stalemate after one period, and took a two-point lead on a layup by sophomore forward Allie Cook (North Reading, MA/Buckingham, Brown & Nichols) just over a minute into the second. However, Gwynedd Mercy (1-0) responded with a three and never looked back, surging out to a 30-21 halftime spread.  

Senior forward Caroline Shimrock (Lansdale, Pa./Gwynedd-Mercy Academy) drilled a deep ball to open the third quarter, pulling Ursinus to within six. But the Griffins embarked on a 12-2 spurt to leave the Bears behind, eventually leading by as many as 24 on the way to reaching the championship round.

Junior forward Charlotte Kucowski racked up 15 points and 13 rebounds to pace three Gwynedd Mercy players in double figures.

Senior guard Alyssa Polimeni (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston Regional) just missed a double-double with ten points and nine boards and tied for the team lead with three assists for the Bears, who shot just 25.4 percent from the field (15-of-59) and turned it over 22 times. Cook finished with seven points, Shimrock nailed a pair of threes, and senior forward Elana Roadcloud (Roslyn, Pa./Springside School) pulled down ten rebounds.

Ursinus is back in action tomorrow with a noon showdown against Lycoming in the consolation game. The Griffins will duel with William Paterson for the tournament crown at the conclusion of the first contest.