DANBURY, Conn. - Junior guard Nicole Peralta (North Windham, Conn.) poured in a game-high 24 points which included five shots from beyond-the-arc to propel the Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team to a 78-72 victory over visiting non-league foe Alfred University in the opening day of the Hat City Classic at Feldman Arena on Thursday night.

Sophomore guard Malaysia Dingle (Holbrook, Mass.) added 17 points, while senior center Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) notched 15 and dished out a game-high eight assists. Classmate guard Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Senior guard Grace Rittenhouse (Dansville, N.Y.) paced the visitors 23 points and nine boards, while rookie forward Natalee Collins (Waterville, N.Y.) joined her in double figures with 13 points.

The Wolves connected on 11-of-20 (55 percent) of their three-point attempts, while the Saxons went just 7-of-24 (29 percent). Despite being outmuscled on the glass, 51-34, the hosts made up for it, forcing 23 turnovers while committing only 14. 

The game was close in the early going. Alfred took a 38-35 lead into halftime before the Wolves seized control in the second half. They pulled ahead by as many as 14 points in the fourth. With the Saxons narrowing the deficit, Peralta canned a corner trifecta and then stole the ensuing inbound pass, setting up yet another WestConn score to capture the momentum. Alfred kept the game close down the stretch but the Wolves netted their free throw attempts to come away with the victory.

With the win, WestConn improved to 3-8 overall, while Alfred dropped to 3-6. WestConn returns to action for day two of the tournament when they host the City College of New York tomorrow at 3 p.m.