Council Bluffs, IA

10 months and two weeks.  That's how long it's been since the Iowa Western Women's Basketball team has played a meaningful game.

The wait was worth it.

The 24th ranked Reivers (1-0) worked their way to an early 11-0 lead over visiting Iowa Lakes and never looked back to earn their first victory of the long-delayed season.

"I'm just happy for the team to be on the court, literally just so grateful to even be playing right now and having a season", Head Coach Lindsey Vande Hoef said, "I do think there was good and bad, but that's part of each and every season.  We were rusty in a few spots, but anytime you can have half of your offensive output come off the bench, that's huge for us.  We've got a ton of upside."

Sophomore Dustie Obah and freshman Ayreona Carter had 14 and 13 respectively in reserve roles and fellow newcomer Gabriella Smith led the starting unit in scoring, matching Obah's 14.  

Transfer Geassy Germano grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds and blocked two shots.

Iowa Lakes (0-1), #12 in the NJCAA D-II preseason poll, would get within a point early in the second half before a 21-4 run for the Reivers put the game out of reach.

The Reivers finished with an assist on over half of their buckets, led by six from returner Hayley Berfield and more helpers from fellow returner Arielle McElroy.  McElroy, the Bolingbrook, Illinois native also grabbed nine rebounds and added nine points on the night.