CEDARVILLE, Ohio – A big push to start the second half lifted the Truman State Women's Basketball team to a 74-61 victory over host Cedarville (Ohio) University in the season opener on Friday evening. Maddie Niemeier scored a career-high 22 points.
 
The Bulldogs and Yellowjackets played a close first half with Cedarville leading 17-15 after one quarter and 40-37 at the break.  Truman State came out of the locker room and outscored Cedarville 23-11 in the third quarter and were 8-of-13 shooting in those 10 minutes for 62%. For the game, the Bulldogs shot 55% overall.
 
Niemeier was 11-of-15 from the field for 22 points eclipsing her previous best of 18. She added three rebounds, an assist and a steal.
 
Jordan Cunningham made her official debut as a Bulldog and scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting with five rebounds and three assists. Molly Joyce added 11 and Bryar Duwe, who scored 17 points all of her freshman season, added 10.
 
The Bulldogs return to the court on Saturday against Ursuline (Ohio) for a 1 p.m. (ET) start.