Mawah, N.J. - The College of Saint Elizabeth's basketball team (0-1, 0-0 NEAC) dropped its season opener to Old Westbury, 87-78 in the first round of the Roadrunner Tip off hosted by Ramapo College on Friday night.

CSE opened up the game on a 7-0 run led by freshman Damaris King, draining her first career three pointer. Deja Ingram added on to the hot start, scoring her first career bucket as the Eagles opened up a 13-4 lead with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter. Despite the quick start, Old Westbury would end the quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 25-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Jasmine Poole helped the Eagles cut the deficit to 32-29 after making a driving layup with 5:32 remaining in the first half. Despite Old Westbury opening up a 14-point lead late in the first half, the Eagles battled back to cut the deficit to 42-35 at the break. Danesha Triplett led the Eagles down low in the first half, pouring in 12 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

Triplett continued her strong game in the third quarter, scoring a layup in the paint to slice the margin to 6. After cutting into the lead, the Eagles struggled to get any closer as Old Westbury opened up a 15-point lead with 4 minutes to go in the quarter. CSE would trade baskets the rest of the quarter as it trailed by 12 heading into the fourth quarter.

With 6:30 remaining in the game, Taylor Foxworth knocked down a baseline jumper to get the Eagles within 70-61. Despite getting the lead to single digits, CSE was unable to get any closer, dropping the game 87-78.

Ashley Pledger lead the Eagles with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Deja Ingram added 16 points and 13 rebounds in her first career game, while Danesha Triplett had 14 points and 8 rebounds.

CSE returns to action on Saturday when they play either Penn State Harrisburg or Ramapo College in the consolation game of the Roadrunner Tip Off.