ST.LEO, Fla. â€Ã‚“ The NMU womenâ€Ã‚™s basketball teamstarted their season off on a good foot in the Sunshine State on Saturday afternoon with an80-74 win over the host school, St. Leo University, at the third annual Sleep Inn Classic. 

NMU held a 44-35 lead at the half as Andrea Brooke had 10 ofher team-leading 18 points in the first 20 minutes.  She shared the team scoring lead with TiffanyGrubaugh as she ended the day with 18 points.

Emily Samuelson was the third â€Ã‚˜Cat to score in double-digitsas she poured in 15 points.  TeraOpperman added 13 markers in the win.

Michelle Moard had 10 rebounds to pace the â€Ã‚˜Cats.  Brooke and Emily Belland both added nineboards on the day. 

For the game the â€Ã‚˜Cats were 31-68 from the floor (45.6percent) and only 4-20 from three-point range (20 percent).  From the free throw line NMU was 14-17 for82.4 percent.  The â€Ã‚˜Cats held theadvantage on the boards with 45 rebounds as St. Leo had 27 rebounds on theday. 

The â€Ã‚˜Cats will face Florida Gulf Coaston Sunday at 1:00 p.m. for theirsecond game of their two-game Floridaswing.