By Daniel Chavkin

In their season opener, the Maryland women’s basketball team beat the University of Massachusetts-Lowell 102-53.

Maryland came out strong with outscoring UMass-Lowell 30-7 in the first quarter. While Maryland took a 58-19 lead at half, UMass-Lowell did a better job keeping up in the second half.

“We were really ready to play,” said head coach Brenda Frese. “Our energy was really good…we were really excited and fired up to play.”

The biggest contributors were junior guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and senior guard Brene Moseley, both of which scored over 20 points.

“Coming into every game, coach preaches that we’re the most prepared team,” said Walker-Kimbrough.

“[Walker-Kimbrough] took what the defense gave her,” said Frese. “[She] really got our team clicking on all cylinders.

In addition, freshmen Kiah Gillespie and Brianna Fraser impressed impressed in their Maryland debuts and Gillespie totaled 15 points and eight rebounds and Fraser collected four points and two rebounds.

“At times they played well, at times they looked like freshman,” Frese said. “They definitely have to get more experience [with] the speed of the game and the level of physicality…but they’re both really talented.”

Additionally, in a pregame ceremony, Maryland unveiled their 2015 final four banner and the returning players received their rings from last year’s NCAA tournament final four appearance.

“It was a great feeling seeing that banner go up,” said Walker-Kimbrough. “Coach told us that the banner dropping is us closing that chapter. Now that that’s behind us we have to focus on the now.”

Maryland’s next game is Wednesday as they take on High Point in College Park.