STAUNTON, VA - The Mary Baldwin University basketball team opened the 2016-17season Tuesday night against Hollins University in a non-conference matchup.  The Fighting Squirrels fell 44-58. 

Khai Davidson put Mary Baldwin on the board first sinking two free throws at the 8:20 mark.  Kaitlyn Crews followed quickly with a three-point shot to put the home team up 5-0.  The two teams traded baskets but Mary Baldwin held a 10-6 lead.  Crews sank another jumper and Anna Ramirez followed with two free throws to give the Fighting Squirrels a 15-6 edge after the first quarter.

Mary Baldwin went cold in the second quarter and Hollins came back to take a 23-19 lead into the locker room.  

The two teams battled in the final 20 minutes but Mary Baldwin was never able to overcome the first half deficite.

Hollins controlled the boards outrebounding Mary Baldwin 46-36.  The visitors also dominated the paint outscoring Mary Baldwin 26-6.

Hollins used a balanced scoring attack while Mary Baldwin was led by Kaitlyn Crews who tallied 13 points in her college debut.  Rakeema Willis added 9.  Nicole Blackburn led the team in rebounds with 11.  Khai Davidson grabbed 8.  Anna Ramirez led the team with 4 assists.

After the game, head coach Andrew Stephens said, "We did a lot of good things on both ends of the floor tonight.  We have to learn from it and get better.  We are definitely headed in the right direction though."

Mary Baldwin University, 0-1, continue play this weekend at the Centre College Tip Off Tournament.