BRYN MAWR, Pa. – The Bryn Mawr basketball program kicked off their season with a home game against the University of Valley Forge in the Class of 1958 Gymnasium. Bryn Mawr took an early lead with help from a strong offensive performance by sophomore Jess Smith and never let it go. Smith led the Owls charge with 19 points while Kris Pasia led beyond the arc drilling three three-pointers. The Valley Forge offense came alive in the third quarter and was poised for a comeback, but Bryn Mawr responded quickly to secure their lead and hold on for a 43-36 victory.

Valley Forge won the opening tip off and started the game in the Owls' half. Smith rolled in a layup to begin the scoring. After sinking two free throws to tie the game, Valley Forge took their only lead in the game with a three-pointer. Smith made another quick basket in transition off a turnover to reduce the lead to one. Pasia gave the Owls the lead with a nice three-point jumper well beyond the arc. As Valley Forge pressed into the Owls' half, Smith slapped the ball away from the Patriot guard and it was recovered by sophomore Sena Kaper-Dale. At 2:20 remaining in the quarter, Kaper-Dale drilled a shot just inside the arc, only her right foot preventing her from making it a three-point play. Valley Forge turned the ball over by attempting a deep lob pass directly off the inbound, but it was stolen by Sonja Meijer. However, it was quickly given right back after a Patriot was able to knock down a pass in transition. With a minute remaining in the first quarter, senior Hannah Govert recovered a rebound and drove the length of the court for a lay-up attempt. Although she did not make the basket her effort was rewarded with two shots, of which she made one. The first quarter expired with Bryn Mawr holding a five-point lead (10-5).

 Valley Forge attempted a three-pointer twenty seconds into the second quarter, but a quick rebound and drive in transition from Smith gave the Owls another two points. Bryn Mawr made several offensive rebounds but could not put the ball away as they missed four consecutive shot attempts. Valley Forge finally got back on the board with a layup narrowing Bryn Mawr's lead back to five. After an offensive dry spell from both teams, Smith finally managed to extend the Owls' lead once again with a short-range jump shot. After multiple turnovers from both sides, Valley Forge attempted a three in transition and was able to score a layup on the putback attempt. Pasia lobbed a deep pass in transition to Govert who sunk a one-handed bank off the backboard. Despite two offensive rebounds, Valley Forge was unable to score. A Patriot attempted to recover the ball as it headed out of bounds, but instead tossed it into the waiting arms of Smith who quickly drove down the court for a layup to end the first half (18-9).

Valley Forge began the scoring early in the second half by making an offensive rebound and layup, followed quickly by a two-point jumper. The Patriots continued to out rebound the Owls on the offensive side of the ball quickly closing the gap to three. Yet, a free throw from Smith made it a four-point lead. Senior Ella Kotsen followed up with a long two-point shot. Smith jolted the Owls' offensive with a swift steal and breakaway layup, and again with a great three-pointer, her first of the night. Bryn Mawr again extended their lead by three thanks to Pasia who shot her second three-pointer of the night. Valley Forge scored an additional basket, but Bryn Mawr maintained an eight-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter (31-23).

Bryn Mawr managed to maintain strong possession of the ball and make free throws when presented with the opportunity to help them secure their victory. Pasia began the quarter with her third three-pointer. Kaper-Dale paired with Smith for a layup in the paint to give the Owls a double-digit lead. Kaper-Dale again scored a layup, this time with the help of a pass from sophomore Hannah Binder. Valley Forge scored four unanswered baskets, the last being a deep three-pointer that cut Bryn Mawr's lead to four. The final few minutes remained tense as both teams traded possession. However, Smith, Govert, Kaper-Dale, and Pasia kept the Owls ahead by taking advantage of their foul shot opportunities. Smith made the last basket of the night for the Owls with a midrange jumper. Valley Forge managed to score one additional shot, but the Owls' defense kept the Patriots at bay. Bryn Mawr walked away from their first game of the season victorious (43-36).

The Owls will return for another home game on Saturday against Penn St.-Berks.