St. Bonifacius, Minn. — Crown tremendously started the season on Wednesday evening, beating the MIAC Hamline in their season opener at the Wild Athletic Center, 69-65. 69 points surpass last year's season-high of 64, and this win is Crown's first opening night win since 2012; Crown women's basketball hadn't beaten a MIAC in at least six years. 

Desiree Davis was top two of Storm players in nearly every category of the game with the most points, and the second most rebounds, steals, and assists on the team. Her 16 points and three offensive rebounds set Crown up in a position to succeed. Sophomore Hannah Malone played well in her return to action after a season-ending ACL tear a year ago with nine points, a team-high three assists, two steals and five rebounds. 

Senior Andrea Besa was second on the team in scoring with thirteen points and had three steals and four rebounds in the game. Junior Kayla Carter had eight points and seven rebounds in her first start of the season. Sophomore Stevey De La Ossa had nine points, four boards and two assists, both to Carter. First-year Ephernie Domingo also provided a spark from the bench, scoring six points in 13 minutes and had a beautiful assist to Marissa Ruf to score a bucket in the second half. Defensively, Patricia Gibson and Carter both recorded a block in the game. 

The game wasn't flawless with the Storm missing 11 of 21 free throws in the second half, and with Carter and senior starter Madison Stricklin fouling out of the game late. However, clutch scoring, late steals from Besa, and a forced backcourt violation helped clinch the victory for the Storm.  

Crown has another home game soon, with Viterbo playing the Storm in St. Boni on Friday, 6:30 pm.