Williamsburg, Ky.- The Lindsey Wilson women's basketball team started their regular season with an 86-52 victory over West Virginia Tech at the University of the Cumberlands Classic Thursday. 

The Blue Raider offense was led by sophomore Taylor Guess who posted a 20 point outing, going two-for-two from behind the three-point line. Red-shirt freshman Saniyah Shelton, and senior Amelia Hodges both contributed with 13 points apiece, with Shelton adding six boards. Jarie Thomas was the fourth Blue Raider to hit double digits today going 6-6, shooting 100 percent from the field, ending the game with 12 points, four steals, and a block. 

West Virginia Tech shot 45 percent from behind the arc connecting on 9-of-20. Cadence Stewart led the Golden Bears offense by contributing 20 points and three assists, while also grabbing six rebounds. Liz Cadel and Emmanuella Amaefula were the other Golden Bears to hit double digits, both with 10 points.

The Blue Raiders started the game on a 14-0 run led by Guess who accumulated six points in the first 2:52 of the quarter. The Golden Bears answered back, going on a 6-0 run to bring the game back within single digits with a three point make by Stewart. The Blue Raiders closed out the first quarter up 15 on a 13-6 run led by Amelia Hodges with eight points. 

Lindsey Wilson started the second quarter off strong, extending the lead to 33-12. The Blue Raiders closed out the second half with Claire Fleming capitalizing on a steal and scoring back-to-back buckets within 12 seconds of one another. Lindsey Wilson took a 45-21 into halftime.

The Blue Raiders threw the first punch with 9:37 left in the third with sophomore Jarie Thomas scoring a layup to put Lindsey Wilson up 47-21 over the Golden Bears. Taylor Guess picked up right where she left off in the first half going back and forth with Cadence Stewart trading baskets. The Blue Raiders went on a 7-0 run that lasted 2:42 to make it a 59–30 ballgame. With back-to-back buckets scored by Emily Cox, Lindsey Wilson ended the third quarter up 63-34. 

Lindsey Wilson opened the fourth quarter scoring 16 of the 19 points to lead 79-37. The Blue Raiders went on to post a final score of 86-52. 

The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Friday for the second day of The University of the Cumberlands Classic, tipping off at 12 p.m. CT at the O. Wayne Rollins Center.