Worcester, Mass. (November 16) -- Assumption opened up an early lead that it never relinquished as the Hounds raced past American International for an 85-70 victory in the Northeast-10 Conference opener for both teams. The Greyhounds have now won nine straight games in the series with the Yellow Jackets.

The Hounds opened up a 13-8 lead with 14:22 left in the first as Katy Howard (Medway, Mass./Medway) knocked down a jumper from the top of the key. Assumption continued the run with a 10-point spurt that pushed the edge up to 23-8 before a three-pointer from AIC's Michelle Lafond (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke). Assumption kept up the pressure though behind 63 percent shooting from the field and took a 43-25 edge into the half. Junior Sabrina Sicilano (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield-Warde) led the Hounds with 11 points, while Lafond had 18 of AIC's 25 first-half points.

American International cut into the lead early in the second half and just six minutes into the period, cut the lead down to single digits at eight at 49-41. Siciliano picked off a pass on the next possession though and scored on a layup to put the lead back to double digits at 51-41 with 13:32 left. The Hounds answered with a 13-3 run over the next 4:37 though to put the game out of reach at 64-44 with 8:55 remaining. Assumption led by at least 11 points before the Hounds came away with the season-opening 15-point victory.

Senior All-American candidate Kelly Meredith (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) led the Hounds with 27 points on 9-for-11 shooting from the field as four players finished in double figures. Siciliano has 15 points, along with 13 points by Marissa Velez (Barre, Vt./Spaulding) and 11 from Gabrielle Gibson (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague). Lafond finished with 25 points to lead the Yellow Jackets while knocking down seven three-pointers.

With the win, the Hounds sit at 1-0 overall and in Northeast-10 play, while the Yellow Jackets are 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Northeast-10 play. Assumption is back in action on Friday and Saturday, hosting the Assumption Tip-Off Classic at Laska Gym.