Lourdes led nearly the entire way on Tuesday evening as the Gray Wolves opened the 2020-2021 season with a 71-65 victory over Carlow inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
The win marked the fourth straight home opener for Lourdes, as the Gray Wolves improved to 7-3 all-time in their first home contest of the season.
 
"It wasn't pretty at times, but it was great to get a win to open the season and be able to play against outside competition," head coach John Kenger said afterwards.
 
Trailing 13-9 late in the opening quarter, Logan Ingram (Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant H.S.) scored back-to-back baskets, including a three-pointer, to jumpstart a 10-0 run to close the first period. 
 
The lead grew to 10, 28-18, after a Mary Liedel (Erie, Mich./Mason H.S.) triple before the Celtics responded with a 12-2 run to even the game at 30.  Both teams show well in the third quarter, with Lourdes connecting at a 75% clip from the field.  The Gray Wolves went on a late 7-0 spurt of its own before taking a 46-38 lead into the locker room.
 
Carlow (0-1) battled back to begin the third period, taking the lead 52-50 on an Angelica Orozco basket at the 3:07 mark.  Sara Semler (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer H.S.) answered with a basket at the other end to retie the game and Rhegyn Blood (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer H.S.) added another basket before the end of the stanza as Lourdes took a two-point lead into the fourth.
 
"I think it was big to answer right away after their run," Kenger added.  "We were able to stop their run and get back in front for good."
 
The Gray Wolves led between five and seven points most of the fourth quarter when Semler drove to the basket and completed a three-point paly with 1:38 remaining to put Lourdes in front 69-61.  After a Carlow three, Semler answered again with another driving layup to secure the win.
 
"I love the face that Sara was taking charge and going to the hoop," Kenger stated.
 
Liedel led Lourdes with 13 points while Semler added 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists.  Sirena Pitts (Orlando, Fla./Ocoee H.S.) came off the bench and added 10 points and seven boards in the win.
 
Lourdes shot 46% from the floor and outrebounded the Celtics 41-35 on the night.
 
Megan Ost led Carlow with 24 points and 10 boards while Ashlyn Jonczak added 14 points.
 
Lourdes (1-0) will take to the road for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon as the Gray Wolves head to Portsmouth, Ohio to face eighth-ranked Shawnee State.  Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. inside of Waller Gymnasium.