By Simmons College Athletics

The Simmons College basketball team was defeated by host Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 80-40, Saturday afternoon in their season opener in Troy, N.Y. The Sharks fall to 0-1 on the season, while the Engineers improve to 1-0.

RPI shot 48.6 percent (34-70) from the floor, including 6-10 from three-point range, while holding Simmons to just 23.2 percent (13-56), while forcing the visitors into 30 turnovers.

The Sharks erased an early 6-2 deficit with five unanswered points, capped by a three-point play with a field goal and a free throw from junior guard Jamie Zoldy. It was Simmons’ only lead of the afternoon.

The Sharks were later within 14-11 with 2:18 left in the first quarter, but the Engineers put together a 22-4 run, which lasted into the midway point of the second period and saw them take a 36-15 advantage with 5:48 remaining in the second quarter. Simmons never got closer than within 18 points the rest of the contest.

Junior forward Ashley McAdams pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to go with six points, two steals and an assist for the Sharks, while sophomore forward Presley Silva contributed with eight points, three assists, two steals, and a pair of blocks. Zoldy and senior guard Gracie Rolfe both finished with six points, three rebounds and a steal.

First-year forward LaKissa Martin and senior center Bailei Tetrault each netted 12 points in 15 and 22 minutes respectively to lead RPI. Both grabbed three rebounds and came up with two steals as well. First-year guard Elizabeth Eckhardt came off the bench to score 10 points, pull down four boards, and come up with a pair of steals in 15 minutes.

Simmons returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 18 when it heads to Wellesley, Mass., to take on Wellesley College at 7 p.m., while the Engineers head to Utica, N.Y., on Tursday, Nov. 19, for a 6 p.m. tip-off with Utica College.