PURCHASE, N.Y. – Senior Ashley Raaf (Rockaway Beach, N.Y./Christ The King) scored 15 points and sophomore Joaida Darnell recorded her first double-double of the season as the Manhattanville College women's basketball team defeated Keuka College 74-57 in their season opener Saturday afternoon. 
 
The Valiants (1-0 overall) jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter, but Keuka (0-1 overall) was able to respond, scoring 18 points in the period to take an 18-17 lead into the second quarter. 
 
Manhattanville stepped up its defensive pressure in the second quarter, holding the Wolfpack to just 10 points in the period.  Darnell helped the Valiants start to pull away in the quarter, scoring eight-points as Manhattanville took a 37-28 lead into halftime.
 
Manhattanville's defense played a crucial role in their success Saturday, as the Valiants were able to cause 42 Wolfpack turnovers, 17 of those unforced.  The Valiants relied on that defensive pressure throughout the game, as they were able to score half of their points (37) off turnovers.  The defensive effort allowed Manhattanville to get several easy baskets on the offensive end where the team as a whole struggled shooting.   Manhattanville was held without a made three-point basket on the day, instead relying heavily on penetration from their guards and solid play from a young group of forwards, leading to 44 points in the paint. 
 
The Valiants continued to pull away, putting the game nearly out of reach in the third quarter.  Ashley Raaf (Rockaway Beach, N.Y./Christ The King) found the shooting touch in the third quarter, scoring 8 of the 17 Valiant points and helping Manhattanville take a 13-point lead into the final period. 
 
Raaf and Darnell led the way for Manhattanville with 15 points each, with junior Candice Scott-Mason (Trenton, N.J./Ewing) and freshman Kayleah McGuire (Somers, N.Y./Somers) also finishing in double figures with 13 and 10 points.   Darnell also was able to record her first double-double of the season after pulling down 11 rebounds on the afternoon. 
 
Manhattanville advances to the championship game of the Battle of the Castle Tip-Off Tournament Sunday, when they take on Norwich University with tip-off set for 2:00 P.M.