RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) - The Falcons used 41 points off their bench to defeat Gustavus 73-67 in their season opener at Page Arena, including 17 points and 11 rebounds from 6'1 freshman Brianna Leahy in her debut. The Gusties only had six points off their bench and led by as many as 11 points after a layup from Ava Gonsorowski put them up 21-10 in the first quarter. UW-River Falls outscored Gustavus by 10 points in the second quarter to draw within one at halftime and converted on their free throws down the stretch in the fourth quarter to pick up their first win under interim coach Derek Staley. The Falcons shot an impressive 88 percent from the free throw line on 24 attempts.

Sloppy play put the Falcons behind early, and they committed 13 turnovers in the first half. Leahy helped out by scoring nine-straight points for UWRF in the middle of the second quarter to get them back into the game. Brooke Lemke hit four free throws and a layup to put Gustavus back up seven points midway through the third quarter, but the Gusties wouldn't lead by as many points the rest of the night. The Falcons made eight-straight free throws to close out the third quarter, cutting the lead to only three points after Justine Lee made a layup for the Gusties before the quarter ended. 

Lori Wardynski opened up the fourth quarter with a three pointer, and Wardynski, Leahy and Brianna Koop combined to score the first 13 points for UWRF in the quarter. A layup from Madelyn O'Brien with about five minutes remaining put the Falcons up by seven points, which would be their biggest lead of the game. The 15-5 run over five minutes put UWRF in the driver's seat before Gustavus clawed back to tie the game at 67-67 after six points from Paige Richert and a three-pointer from Lemke. A layup from Taylor Paulsrud in the final minute put the team up for good before two free throws each from Crystal Pearson and Paulsrud sealed the game. 

UWRF shot 49 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc. Paulsrud had 13 points and three rebounds, while Leahy posted the first double-double of the year. Koop finished with nine points and Wardynski with eight, while Pearson led the starters with five rebounds. However, the team still struggled to take care of the ball and committed 22 turnovers.

Gustavus was led by Richert's 20 points and six rebounds, while Lemke made five free throws and scored 15 points. The Gusties struggled shooting the ball, finishing 35 percent from the field, 30 percent from beyond the arc and 77 percent on free throws. The game was also called tightly, as 45 fouls were called between the two teams, including six players with at least four fouls overall. 

The Falcons are now 1-0 and will be back in action against Lakeland University in Plymouth, Wis. at 6 p.m. on Saturday.