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PHILADELPHIA – The women's basketball team made a statement in its 2011-12 season opener, defeating Lehigh, 63-43, on Friday afternoon at Tom Gola Area.

Three Explorers added double-digit points, as freshman Jada Payne had 15, classmate Jordan Mosley added 12 and senior Nadia Duncan provided 10 points off the bench.  Sophomore Jess Koci and junior Alexis Scott each added eight rebounds.

For Lehigh, Alexa Williams added a game-high 16 points and nine rebounds.  

“To start off with a win is great,” head coach Jeff Williams said. “We started three freshmen, so it was just seeing how they'd react and they played pretty well.”

The contest started with Lehigh up 5-0, but La Salle quickly recovered to take a 10-5 after a layup by sophomore Michea Bryant. Lehigh would get within one at 14-13 with just over 12 minutes in the first half, but that was the closest it would come for the remainder of the game.

The Explorers outshot Lehigh .421 to .286 in the first half, as they worked to a 37-24 halftime lead.

Payne added 12 of her 15 points before the break and Mosley played her first minutes at point guard.  

La Salle bared down in the second half, holding the Mountain Hawks to just .171 shooting.

Next up for the Explorers will be a road trip to Albany.  They will face the Great Danes at 2:00 p.m.