PRESCOTT, Ariz. - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) won their opening conference play against Benedictine University (Ariz.) at home. Eagles got the win behind a big scoring night, having three players with double digit points.

Eagles (10-3, 1-0) found themselves in an early two point deficit before Melissa Pfeifer (SR/Hays, Kan.) tied the game with the first points for the Eagles. Haley Villegas (SR/Anthem, Ariz.) followed up with making back to back triples, putting ERAU up 8-5 early in the first. Jenna Knudson (SR/Sterling, Colo.) found herself dishing an assist to all three of the first scores for the Eagles. Villegas scored another bucket before the Redhawks (12-3, 0-1) went on a seven point run. After being down 10 to 15, Jazlyn Maletino-Faga (SR/Tracy, Calif.) scored for the Eagles. ERAU would score six more and enter the break down 16 to 19. Pfeifer led the Eagles with four rebounds in the first.

McKenna Klecker (FR/Chandler, Ariz.) opened the second quarter with a pair of points for the Eagles. She was one of only four Eagles to score in the second. Allese Williams (SR/Canyon Country, Calif.) finished with two points on the quarter also. Villegas had four throughout the second quarter, and was only overshadowed by Ruiz who scored the last bucket of the half and finished with seven points. Ruiz also led the Eagles with assists, having three in the second quarter. Eagles entered the lockerrom tied at 31.

Knudson started on the floor looking to take the lead, scoring the first bucket of the half. Benedictine (Ariz.) would then go on a 10 point run before Maletino-Faga sunk a free throw. Kamryn Brown (SO/Gilbert, Ariz.) helped the Eagles stay in the game throughout the third, having her own pair of free throws. Ruiz scored the last point of the third, finishing with the most points for the Eagles with three. Brown would lead the Eagles with rebounds in the third, ending with five. ERAU would finish the third quarter down 48-43.

Maletino-Faga came out firing, scoring the first five for the Eagles. Three minutes into the final quarter, the game was tied at 50 until Villegas drilled a triple. ERAU would ride this lead out the rest of the way. Eagles had a huge fourth quarter, with five points coming from both Villegas and Ruiz. Maletino-Faga put up her own seven throughout the fourth. Williams led the way for the Eagles though, dropping 10 points to give the Eagles a win over the Redhawks.

Villegas and Ruiz were the big leaders for the Eagles, both dropping 17 over Benedictine (Ariz.). Williams was right behind her teammates, scoring 12 on the night. Maletino-Faga came up third with points, scoring 10. Maletino-Faga led the way with rebounds though, coming down with 11 boards, giving her a double-double over the Redhawks. Brown and Williams both had six rebounds of their own. Knudson and Ruiz led the Eagles in assists, both giving five dimes.

The Eagles will play UC Merced on Jan. 9th at 5:30 pm MST.