MIAMI, Fla. - The Ursinus College women's basketball team began the HoopMIA D3 Holiday Shootout on Wednesday in South Beach. The Bears began the holiday event against a familiar Philadelphia-area opponent right down I-476 - No. 24 Widener. Ursinus was held under 30% shooting from the field for the second time this season at just 25.8% against the Pride in what was a 78-53 loss to begin its Florida trip.

The Bears started off well, making their first two shots which included a drilled three from Gabby Downs to go up 5-2. However, Ursinus would make one shot in the next 6:31 - another Downs trey - in what was a 17-3 run for Widener. Down 21-11 going into the second frame, the Bears fell behind by 20 at 38-18 as Widener started on a 15-7 run. The Bears pulled back within 13 after a Lydia Konstanzer jumper with 24 seconds remaining but would go into the half, trailing 44-29. 

Ursinus played a much closer third quarter coming out of the half, never trailing by more than 15 for much of the frame. An Aliyah Stephens three with 30-seconds left put Ursinus down by 13 before a buzzer-beater three from the Pride made it 59-43 going into the fourth. Widener would go on to extend its lead in the final 10 minutes as the Bears lost the opener of the HoopMIA D3 Holiday Shootout and fell 78-53. 

Stephens led the Bears scoring with 13 points while Konstanzer added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds - her third of the season. Ursinus was outshot 52.3% to 25.8% from the field, but had more success from beyond the arc, going 4-11. 

The Bears continue play in Miami on Thursday against Williams at 2 p.m