MADISON, N.J. (Nov. 8, 2023) – The Drew University women's basketball team raced to a 21-6 lead after one quarter and went on to defeat Rutgers University-Camden, 74-40, here Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
 
It was the second straight year Drew beat Rutgers-Camden in the season opener. The Rangers won, 85-44, last Nov. 9 in Camden.
 
Drew took advantage of 17 first-half turnovers by the Scarlet Raptors as the Rangers opened up a 31-16 halftime lead. They placed nine players in the scoring column in the opening 20 minutes and had 12 players score in the game.
 
Sophomore guard Madelyn Morgan paced Drew with 13 points, while freshman guard Sarah Smout added nine. Senior forward Jamie Struble had eight points, a team-high eight rebounds and a game-high five steals, while senior forward Gracie Hezel also added eight points.
 
The Rangers' freshman guard Amy Rachilla dished off a game-high seven assists.
 
Rutgers-Camden received a game-high 15 points from senior guard  Rahzirah Blocker, while senior guard Jania Pitts added nine points. Freshman forward A'yanna Morton, playing her first collegiate game, grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, while Pitts added eight. Morton also led the Scarlet Raptors with four assists.
 
Drew shot 30-for-78 (38.5 percent) from the floor, while Rutgers-Camden shot 13-for-48 (27.1).
 
The Scarlet Raptors return to action Saturday when they host Arcadia University at 3 p.m.