COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Marist women's basketball team defeated Bowling Green 74-60 in its opening game of the Hall of Fame Challenge in Columbus, Ohio at the Value City Center. Sophomore Madeline Blais (Exeter, N.H.) led the Red Foxes with a career high 24 points and seven rebounds. Blais shot 7-13 from the field, 4-6 from three-point range, and 6-6 from the free throw line.

Senior Emma O'Connor (Lynbrook, N.Y.) contributed 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Senior Leanne Ockenden (Syracuse, N.Y.) recorded 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Junior Natalie Gomez-Martinez (Andover, Mass.) led Marist with five assists and sophomore Sydney Coffey (Hopkins, Minn.) posted seven points, two blocks and a steal.

After taking a early 5-4 lead off a layup and three from Ockenden and O'Connor, Marist wouldn't see another lead until there were just over five minutes remaining in the first half. Back-to-back three's from freshman Katharine Fogarty (Peterborough, N.H.) and Blais gave the Red Foxes a 28-24 lead. Marist went on to score another four points to Bowling Green's two to take a 32-26 lead at the half.

The Falcons opened up the second half with a 7-1 run, regaining a small lead early on. Marist responded with a 7-3 run, taking a 39-33 lead with 16:40 remaining in the second half. After approximately eight minutes of even play, including eight lead changes and four tied scores, the Red Foxes earned the 54-53 advantage with just under nine minutes remaining; a lead Marist would keep until the final horn sounded. Marist closed the game with a 20-7 run, fueled by 10 points from Ockenden and seven points from Blais.

Marist moves to 1-3 overall heading into the remainder of the Hall of Fame Challenge hosted by Ohio State at Value City Arena. The Red Foxes face OSU on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8:30 p.m. and Old Dominion on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.

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-GoRedFoxes.com-