COLCHESTER, Vt.- Caldwell University women's basketball graduate Alessia Smaldone (Malnate, Italy) led the way with 14 points as the Cougars fell in their season opener 66-56 to The College of Saint Rose in the Delta Hotel NE10/CACC Conference Challenge hosted at Saint Michael's College.
 
The Cougars open their season at 0-1, while the Golden Knights improve to 1-0.
 
Saint Rose took the early lead but the Cougars battled back to pull even at seven. Sophomore Paula Dits (Alicante, Spain) drained a three-pointer for the first points of the season, while Smaldone and freshman Rebecca Morrison (Ayrshire, Scotland) each added hoops to rally the Cougars.
 
The Golden Knights pushed ahead by nine points by the end of the opening quarter. Caldwell rallied back in the second quarter as Dits and sophomore Tamrin Henderson (Woodbridge, Va.) each netted four points. Morrison posted a three-point play in the run, while Smaldone capped the run with a bucket at the 3:42 mark to cut the score to 26-24. Saint Rose pushed ahead late in the half to lead 31-26 at the break.
 
The Cougars cut the score to 37-34 midway through the third quarter following a lay-up by Morrison. Saint Rose extended their lead to double-digits early in the fourth quarter. Caldwell got as close as six points down the stretch.
 
Smaldone tallied 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Dits chipped in 13 points and eight boards, while Morrison totaled 13 points and six rebounds in her college debut. Freshman Halle Brown (Downingtown, Pa.) finished with six points and five assists.
 
The Cougars conclude play at the Delta Hotel NE10/CACC Conference Challenge hosted at Saint Michael's as they take on the host Purple Knights on Saturday, November 9 at 3 pm.