ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team kicked off the 2016-17 season with a 61-34 victory over Crown University in a non-conference game Tuesday night in the Leonard Center. The Scots, who were 8-17 a year ago, open the year with a win for the fourth consecutive season.

Macalester never trailed, opening the game with a 14-3 lead after the first quarter and a 27-13 edge at the half. The Scots closed out the third quarter with a 12-4 run to lead 49-24 and cruised to victory over the final quarter. Defense was a key factor, as Macalester held the Storm (0-1) to 19.6 percent shooting from the field while forcing 27 turnovers. The Scots also swiped 10 steals and blocked four shots.

Junior center Regan Fruh (Helena, Mont./Helena) led the way with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, eight rebounds and two blocks. Junior guard G.G. Gunther (San Francisco, Calif./Lowell) delivered four assists, while senior forward Park Masterson (Poway, Calif./Poway) grabbed seven rebounds to go with two assists and two steals. Hannah Malone paced the Storm with eight points.

Macalester plays a non-conference game at Grinnell College on Saturday, Nov. 19, beginning at 3:00 p.m. in Grinnell, Iowa.