No. 4 ranked Shawnee State Bears won their opening game of the Julie Costello Memorial Classic, hosted by Thomas More College, against Maryville College Scots, 60-54. With win the Bears improve to 6-1 for the season, while Maryville falls to 1-2 overall.

Junior Alex Pohl led the way for the Shawnee, posted not only a game-high 24 points, but a career high for herself as well. After closing the lead to just three points, Maryville almost caught up with the Bears, but a pair of free throws from Pohl helped Shawnee pull away. Pohl tallied a double-double for the night, adding 10 rebounds for the Bears and shot 83% from the foul line in 12 trips. Sophomore guard, Alannah Sheets and senior guard, Abby Ballman, each contributed double figure scoring with 13 and 10 points respectively.

After shooting 38% in the first half, Shawnee went into the locker room with a three point deficit, 23-26. In the second half, though, the Bears came out strong posting a 52% shooting average from the field.

Defensively, Shawnee out-rebounded Maryville 39-27 and added an outstanding eight blocked shots: three by Ballman, three by Pohl, one from Sheets and one from freshman Erin Dailey.

Shawnee State will play again on the final day of the Julie Castello Memorial Classic against the host team, Thomas More College, Sunday. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.