SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va.  – Senior guard Marley McLaughlin (Haymarket, Va./Battlefield) scored a game-high 29 points to lead Shepherd University to an 86-61 win over Southern Virginia In women's basketball action at the Butcher Center in the season opener for the Rams on Saturday. 

McLaughlin hit on 9-of-15 field goals with a 4-of-8 effort from beyond the arc. She was 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. McLaughlin added a game-high five steals. 

Senior forward Sydney Clayton (Frederick, Md./St. John's) added 18 points and a game-high six rebounds, while sophomore guard Abby Beeman (Ridgely, W.Va./Frankfort) posted a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 12 assists. 

The Knights were led by Courtney McKrola with 15 points. Amanda Wood added eight points, while Eliza Galbreath had seven. 

McLaughlin had 14 first-half points to help Shepherd gain a 44-19 advantage at the break. 

Shepherd shot 50.8 percent (32-63) from the floor with a 35.3 percent effort (6-17) from three-point range for the game. The Rams connected on 84.2 percent (16-19) of their free throws. 

Southern Virginia hit on 38.6 percent (22-57) from the floor with a 31.3 percent effort (5-16) from three-point range for the game. The Knights connected on 63.2 percent (12-19) of their free throws. 

Shepherd had a 38-36 edge on the boards. The Rams had 16 turnovers and forced 20. Southern Virginia had six steals and the Rams recorded 13. 

Shepherd's next contest has yet to be determined. 

WRNR TV Streaming Replay