Women's basketball team cruises in opener

The Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team used an aggressive defense to get out to a fast start and never looked back in the season opener Friday afternoon at Indian River State's Tip-Off Classic.

The Titans defeated Palm Beach State College 74-61 in the season opener for both teams. Eastern Florida State College scored the first six points and led 20-5 after the first quarter as Milan Schimmel and Natalia Beaumont each scored six points in the first quarter.

A Beaumont basket in the second quarter gave the Titans an 18-point lead and it would extend to 26 by halftime.

"We started off really well, the team came out with a lot of intensity and focus on defense which helped get our offense going," Eastern Florida State College women's basketball coach MJ Baker said. "We have been working on transition defense for two weeks straight and I am glad it paid off today."

In the end the Titans had 16 steals and all 14 players played in the game and 12 of them scored led by Beaumont who finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Teammates Schimmel finished with 11 points and Skye Williams had 10.

"It is exciting, as a coach you are always nervous before the first game because you aren't sure what you will see but I like what we saw today," Baker said. "We have a lot of work left but today was a good start."

The Titans will be back on the court Saturday, playing host Indian River State College at 4 p.m. Indian River State College defeated Florida State College at Jacksonville 86-58.