WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Senior forward Kristen Blye (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East) scored a season-high 23 points to help the Philadelphia University women's basketball team knock off Mercy, 71-50, on the opening day of play in the Carol Eckman Classic Saturday afternoon in West Chester University's Hollinger Fieldhouse.

Blye, who also grabbed nine rebounds, recorded her best shooting day so far this season for Philadelphia (3-0) as she knocked down seven of her nine shot attempts and all nine of her free throws.

Junior guard Samantha Morris (Wenonah, N.J./Deptford) had a solid game in a reserve effort by going 5-of-8 from the field and 4-of-4 at the line to tie her career-high of 15 points.

Sophomore guard Najah Jacobs (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) poured in 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while freshman center Tori Arnao (Newtown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) recorded by her collegiate double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Amber Harrison and Aysha Williams both paced Mercy (0-2) with 10 points each.

Philadelphia never trailed as it opened the contest with its first nine points. During the first four minutes, the Rams' defense forced the Mavericks to miss their first nine shot attempted.

Shaniqua Lewis drained a lay-up at the 8:52 mark to cap a five-point surge and pull Mercy within four (12-8).

The Rams turned up the heat over the final 7:06, outscoring the Mavericks 15-5, to take a 29-15 lead into halftime. Morris led the charge with five points. Defensively, Philadelphia forced Mercy to shot 2-for-7 and commit six turnovers.

In the second half, the margin never got back into single digits, and got as high as 27 (57-30) after Blye hit two free throws with 8:18 to play.

Phiadelphia shot 50 percent (25-of-50) from the field and 80 percent (20-of-25) at the free throw line. Mercy was a 33.9 (21-of-62) percent shooting team from the floor and 45.5 percent (5-of-11) at the stripe.

The Rams dominated the paint as they outscored the Mavericks, 46-16, and outrebounded them, 48-25.

Philadelphia faces host West Chester on day two of the Classic on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.