Broken Arrow, OK - In the opening game of the 2008 Women’s Basketball National Championships, #6 Spalding University, new to the USCAA this season, introduced itself to the association with an exclamation. The Golden Ealges of Spalding defeated the #11 ranked Southern Maine Community College Seawolves, 93-43.

Spalding opened up with a 13-1 run against SMCC and never looked back, outscoring Southern Maine by 39 in the first half and 21 in the second. Southern Maine, the Yankee Conference Champion, came into the tournament paralyzed by injury and the loss of players midway through the season. The result was six players who were worn down early by a quick Spalding program who passed and shot well from the perimeter.

Spalding shot well from the field (46.8%), but even better from beyond the arc, posting 10 three pointers and a three point percentage of 43.5. The Golden Eagles showed great distribution of the ball, illustrated by 41 points off the bench.

Spalding’s leading scorer was Brianne Miles, who had 15 points. The closest person to a double-double for Spalding was center, Melissa Beasley, who posted 10 points and 8 rebounds. Alison LaHaye and Elizabeth Ouellette led the way for Southern Maine with 12 points each.

Southern Maine moves into the loser bracket and will play on Thursday at 6pm against the loser of #10 Lyndon State and #7 Robert Morris College Springfield . Spalding University must recuperate quckly, as they take on the #3 seeded Penn State Beaver Thursday morning at 8am.