The Wilmington College women's basketball team got off to a sizzling start and held on for their first win of the season, beating Mount St. Joseph, 61-59, Friday in the opening game of the 2015 Damon's/Hampton Inn Tip-Off Tournament at Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court.

"We had a really good week of practice, got off to a great start, played with confidence, did the things we do, and with the exception of getting into early foul trouble, I was happy with how we started," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "They hit us with some full court pressure and we didn't respond real well. Hopefully, that will come with experience."

The duo of junior Brittaney Jefferson (Dayton, OH/Chaminade Julienne) and freshman Mackenzie Campbell (Cincinnati, OH/Turpin) was scintillating for the Fightin' Quakes, especially in the fourth period. They combined to scoring nine of the team's 11 points in the final 10 minutes.

Mount St. Joseph pulled to within one on four separate occasions in the final period, and Campbell hit a basket to give WC some breathing room on the first three. Jefferson made two free throws with 27 seconds remaining the other time.

Jefferson finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point territory, with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Campbell recorded her first career double-double with 13 points (5-of-7 shooting) with 10 rebounds.

"She came out like she can," Scheve said of Jefferson. "Above all, she had a great week of practice, and made a commitment to do the things that we do."

Early on it looked as though Wilmington would breeze to a win in its home opener. Jefferson scored the first seven points and WC raced out to a 19-4 lead. However, just two minutes into the game and MSJ was already in the bonus and the fouls were adding up quickly for the Fightin' Quakers. Wilmington still held an 11-point lead after the first period.

Thankfully, Wilmington had the huge advantage in the first period because it was the only 10-minute period it would win.

The Mount continued to chip away at the Wilmington lead, but could never take the lead. In fact, Wilmington led for 39:39 of the 40-minute game. The game was tied for the first 21 seconds of the game.

Junior Hannah Haeseker (Germantown, OH/Valley View) and freshman A.J. Arling (Minster, OH/Minster) grabbed eight rebounds each for Wilmington.

Wilmington (1-1) plays Franklin (1-1) in the final game of the 2015 Damon's/Hampton Inn Tip Off Classic. The Grizzlies upset No. 19 DePauw in the second game, 57-55.

NOTES

• Because Franklin and Mount St. Joseph both compete in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, the classic match-ups were predetermined.
• Wilmington held the 56-37 edge on the boards.
• There were 51 turnovers and 51 fouls called in the game. The 51 fouls resulted in 55 free throws being shot. Two MSJ players fouled out, while none fouled out for the Fightin' Quakers.
• Mount St. Joseph shot just 53.1 percent (17-of-32) from the foul line, while Wilmington was 14-of-23 (60.9 percent).