CRESCENT HILLS, KY -- The Redhawks opened the Julie Costello Memorial Classic at Thomas More by defeating Dominican 65-60 on Saturday afternoon. La Roche outscored Dominican by eight over the final 3:33 to climb ahead and earn their first victory of the season.

Both teams came out with defensive intensity and they entered the first intermission tied at 8-8.

Jenna Cole hit a three-pointer with 5:55 left in the second quarter to give the Redhawks a 20-18 lead. Dominican responded with 8 of the next 10 points and a 26-20 advantage.

Coach Gissendanner gathered her squad and the Redhawks rallied on the defensive end. La Roche held the Stars scoreless over the final 3:40 of the first half and entered the lockerroom ahead 30-26.

Cole led all scorers with 11 first half points and Dasja Anderson had 9 points. The Redhawks hit 11 of 25 field goals and hit 3 of 6 three-pointers. Dominican was just 2 of 14 from long range in the first half.

Nia Thomas pulled down a rebound and found Anderson down the floor for their largest lead of the game at 40-30.

Dominican closed the gap to 49-43, with a buzzer beating layup at the end of the third quarter.

The Stars opened the fourth quarter on a 5-1 run and grabbed a 57-54 lead with 3:33 left to play. La Roche clamped down defensively and Danajah Sanders drained a three to give the Redhawks a 61-58 and 45 seconds left.

Dominican cut the deficit back to one with 31 seconds remaining. The Stars fouled and put Shaundrea Butler on the line for a pair. Butler came up big and got the Redhawks lead back to three.

Dominican missed a three-pointer on the other end and Sidney Farmer ended it with free throws.

Cole finished with 26 points and hit 10 of 15 field goals. Anderson had 11 points and 7 assists while Butler had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The Redhawks shot a solid 49% (24 for 49) and held Dominican to just 36% (23 of 64). They will play Thomas More tomorrow at 4pm.