MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Hendrix College women's basketball team opened the season with a 70-58 loss to Rust College at the Rhodes Tip-Off Classic at Mallory-Hyde Gymnasium on Saturday.

In their first game under interim head coach Drew Gaeng, the Warriors (0-1) shot 29.6 percent (21-of-71) and were 2-of-12 from three-point range and 14-of-27 from the free throw line. The Lady Bearcats (1-0) shot 43.5 percent (30-of-69), were 5-of-13 from outside and 5-of-10 at the line. Rust held a 56-44 rebound advantage. Hendrix committed less turnovers (19-24) and registered 13 steals.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 9-4 lead, but the Lady Bearcats ended the first half with a 37-18 run. Hendrix outscored Rust 31-29 in the second half, but Rust maintained a double-digit lead throughout the rest of the game.

Freshman guard Taylor Neal paced the Warriors with 16 points and eight rebounds. Freshman forward Anna King had 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists and senior center Jamie Tate came down with 10 points and seven boards. Freshman guard Melanie Martin dished out four assists and had six steals, tied for 10th most in school history. Freshman guard Peyton Hurst chipped in nine points.

Jessica Brown led the Lady Bearcats with 19 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Kiesha Tunstall had 14 points and Kala Williams scored 10 points and grabbed 11 boards. Whitney McNeal added 10 points, three assists and three steals.

Hendrix will face Blackburn College at 1 p.m. on Sunday to conclude the Tip-Off Classic.