WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University women's basketball team started strong and never looked back as the Hoyas defeated the Salem University Tigers 77-46 in the 2022-23 home opener on Monday afternoon at McDonough Arena. With the win, the Blue & Gray starts the season 1-0, while the Tigers drop to 0-1.

Head Coach James Howard

• "It's always good to get the first win, but we need to improve on our shooting, when you get those looks you need to hit the shots. We had good looks, and if we could have knocked them down, that would have changed the outcome. And then free throws. They're free for a reason, but you have to go up there and lock in to make them. If we want to win games against good teams, we'll need to hit those open looks."

How it Happened

• The season began with a put back from senior transfer Jada Claude before a 7-0 run capped off by a layup from junior captain Kelsey Ransom.
• Salem would answer with a bucket at 5:13, but the Tigers would not score again in the quarter as a Ransom jumper sparked a 9-0 run making it 22-6 at the end of the first.
• Georgetown would keep it going in the second stanza with Claude starting the scoring again as the Blue & Gray moved ahead by 23 points leading 29-6 on a layup from senior captain Graceann Bennett.
• The Hoyas would control the lead and keep it above 20 for the remainder of the period making it 39-15 at the break.
• The Blue & Gray continued to build the lead in the second half as Claude and freshman guard Kennedy Fauntleroy both found the bottom of the net.
• Late in the stanza, Bennett twice hit a jumper to make it a 33-point lead as the Blue & Gray continued to dominate. GU was up 59-29 at the end of the third.
• The coaching staff mixed it up in the final quarter giving some of the newcomers an opportunity to get some minutes. Even with the lineup shifts, the Hoyas cruised to the 77-46 victory.

Of Note

• Ransom led the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double to go along with three steals.
• Fauntleroy and Claude both added 11 as three Hoyas were in double figures. Fauntleroy also led the Blue & Gray with four assists in the win. 
• The Hoyas shot 38% (30-78) from the field and allowed 34% (19-56) shooting by the Tigers.
• Georgetown outrebounded Salem 62-31, and the GU defense forced 26 Tiger turnovers.

Up Next

• Georgetown will head out on the road for its first away game of the season facing the Temple University Owls on Saturday. The squad will face the Owls at the Liacouras Center at 4 p.m.
• Live stats and a link to the ESPN+ stream will be available at GUHoyas.com.