LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Monique Reid era started in triumphant fashion, as the Bellarmine University women's basketball team tore out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter en route to a 77-51 win over Spalding in the season opener Monday evening in Knights Hall.

The contest marked the head-coaching debut of Reid, who previously was an assistant coach with the Knights (1-0). On the other sideline was Raven Merriweather, a former star player-turned-assistant coach at Bellarmine before she took the head position with Spalding.

The intra-city clash was a countable game for Bellarmine and classified as an exhibition for Division III Spalding. The Knights ambushed the Golden Eagles at the start, building a 21-0 lead after the first quarter. Spalding settled down and played mostly even with BU over the last three periods, but it was smooth sailing to victory for the Knights after the big beginning.

Four Knights scored in double figures and two more were one point shy of double digits. Junior guard Triniti Ralston flirted with a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Senior guard Ashlee Harris racked up 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals while freshman center Haya Abdel Aal registered 12 points and nine rebounds.

Sophomore forward Kayce Hyman chipped in 10 points, senior guard Kendall Wingler had nine and six assists, and sophomore forward Rachel Shropshire tacked on nine and six rebounds.

Bellarmine will host Morehead State at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Friday.

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