ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Three players in double figures, led by Nikki Oppenheimer's career-high 13 points, paced the St. Bonaventure University women's basketball team to a 61-53 victory over Robert Morris in the season-opener Tuesday afternoon at the Reilly Center.

Oppenheimer finished the contest 4-for-5 from the floor, including a 2-for-3 effort from behind the arc in a career-high 21 minutes off the bench. Asianae Johnson added 10 points for the Bonnies.

Anther newcomer Ene Adams tallied 10 points and eight rebounds in 20 minute in her Bonnies debut.

The fourth quarter opened with the Bonnies trailing the Colonials, 40-37.

Taylor Napper's layup to open the fourth quarter scoring brought the Bonnies within one.

Oppenheimer gave the Bonnies their first lead of the final period with a three-pointer from the corner with 7:48 to play, putting the Bonnies on top, 44-42.

Following a layup and a free throw that put Robert Morris up one, 45-44, Adams scored four straight points via a layup and a pair of makes from the free throw line to put SBU on top, 48-45.

The Bonnies would never trail again.

Mackenzie Amalia made a three for the Colonials with 2:43 left in the game to bring Robert Morris within two, 52-50, but that's as close as they would get as the Bonnies would make their free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

It was a slow start offensively for both sides as the Colonials led the hosts, 11-8, after the first 10 minutes of play.
Following a long two from RMU's Esther Castedo put the Colonials up four, 22-18, with just over 2:30 minutes to play in the first half.

The Bonnies (1-0) held the Colonials scoreless the remaining 2:39 of the first half, while going on a quick 4-0 surge, tying the game 22-22 at the break.

Bona's jumped out to a four-point, 26-22, lead just out of the locker room, keeping RMU off the board for the first 2:39 of the second half.

The Colonials (0-1), however, fought back and retook the lead late in the third quarter, pushing their edge to as many as seven, 37-30.

The Bonnies face a quick turnaround as they host Siena Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Reilly Center. Tip is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

GAME NOTES

• St. Bonaventure starters – Tori Harris, Asianae Johnson, I'yanna Lops, Tianna Johnson, Ene Adams.
• Nikki Oppenheimer set a new career-high in points (13) and minutes (21), surpassing previous best set Jan. 29, 2020 against College of Charleston while playing for James Madison.
• The Bonnies outrebounded the Colonials, 46-26. Their +20 rebounding margin is their highest margin since being +18 against UMBC during the 2017-18 season.
• Ene Adams matched her career-high with 10 points that she set at South Florida last season while a player at Wichita State.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JESSE FLEMING
"I liked our team today, thought they just kept going after it. I liked the attitude through, Asianae didn't have her best game and others stepped up. Have to guard the three-point line better, defense and rebound was good to start. Showed some very gritty things to start the season."
"Getting Ene Adams in the transfer portal was huge because winning the rebound battle is very important. Being able to play Tori at the three and I'yanna at the four gives us plenty of options. Nikki Oppenheimer also played very well today with her contributions off the bench."

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