READING, Pa.- Two veteran players emerged at the top of the stat sheet during the no. 11 Albright women's basketball 72-49 season opening victory over Ursinus College Tuesday night at the Bollman Center. Jayne Joyce made five of nine shots and all four free throws to lead the Lions with 14 points, while Alysha Lofton finished with 11 points and a team-high four steals, three blocks, and seven rebounds.

Joyce paced Albright's offense in the first quarter scoring six of the team's 17 points. The Grizzly Bears pulled within one to trail 8-7 before the Lions went on a nine-point run capped off by a jumper from Lauren Killion as time expired. The teams traded buckets in the opening minutes of the second half before one of Lofton's steals and two free throws sparked Albright's offense. In the final minute and a half, the Lions made three baskets, including a key three pointer from Shannon Thomas, to take a 36-22 lead into intermission.

The Lions carried their momentum into the second half as the team relentlessly pounced on the Grizzly Bears. Ursinus was no match for the Lions, who held their opponents without a basket for over five minutes in the third quarter. During that streak, Albright jumped out to a 51-24 lead in part to clutch shooting. Baskets continued to fall in for the Lions gradually increasing their lead over Ursinus in the fourth quarter. Lofton led the way on both ends of the court as the junior made a huge block and a three-point play with less than four minutes remaining to put Ursinus away.

Nina Mazzarelli and Shannon Thomas each scored nine points with Mazzarelli tallying a team-high five assists. MiKayla Lea and Devan Horka also put up eight points apiece in the Lions' victory.

Albright returns to action Friday evening against tournament host Randolph Macon College in the Randolph Macon Tip-Off Classic in Ashland, Va. Tip-off is set to take place at 6 p.m.