ST. DAVIDS, PA - The Cabrini women's basketball team opened their season with a thrilling 61-54 victory over the hosting Eastern Eagles in the annual Battle of Eagle Road. 

The Blue and White rallied from a 52-48 deficit with just over three minutes remaining to steal the opening day victory. 

Junior Lexi Edwards paced the offense with a game high 18 points, while adding four rebounds and four assists. It took freshman Katie Rodriguez one game to collect her first career double-double after pairing 13 points and 11 rebounds, while also tallying a game high four blocks and three steals. 

Senior Meghan Matthews rounded out the Cavs in double figures after finishing with 12 points and added two blocks of her own. 

Eastern used a 10-0 run that spanned the first five minutes to open the game and seize the early momentum. The Cavs responded with a 9-2 spurt of their own, highlighted by a three ball from junior Caitlin King, to pull within three points heading into the second stanza. 

Eastern's Jaelyn Harris opened the second with a three to push the host's lead to 15-9, but an ensuing 11-4 Cavalier run handed the Blue and White their first lead of the game. Four Eagles' free throws sandwiched a jumper from junior Kate Lannon to close the first half with Eastern holding a narrow 23-22 lead. 

Senior Cassidy Gallagher kicked off the second half with a triple for her first points of the game to put the Cavs up 25-23. The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third quarter as neither team was able to extend their lead beyond three points. 

Trailing 39-38 following an Eastern layup to begin the fourth, the Cavs used a 6-0 spurt with buckets from Rodriguez, Matthews and King to take a 44-39 lead with 5:53 to play. The Eagles answered with a matching 6-0 run, highlighted by a three from Minika Glenn. A jumper from sophomore Kirsten Searcy put the Cavs back on top, 46-45, with just over four minutes remaining. 

Trailing 52-48 with 3:12 to play, Searcy kicked off the aforementioned 13-2 run with a layup and followed it up with an assist to Rodriguez as the Cavaliers drew even at 52 all. Five consecutive points from Edwards, including a deep three, handed the Blue and White a 57-53 lead with a 1:30 remaining and sealed the victory in favor of the Cavaliers. 

In total, the Cavs shot 32.3% from the field compared to the Eagles' 37%, but held a 43-35 advantage on the glass, including a 16-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. 

Eastern's Minika Glenn tallied a team high 15 points, while Kay Wulah led the hosts with 11 rebounds. 

Following tonight's game, the Cavaliers improve to 1-0 on the young season and will turn their attention to the Stockton University Tip-Off Tournament beginning on Saturday, November 16th against the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Game time is slated for 7pm.