UNION, N.J. - Sophomore forward Liz Brasa (East Hartford, Conn.) scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Simmons College women's basketball team in a 90-49 loss to host Kean University this afternoon in the Kean Classic at Harwood Arena in Union, N.J. The game was the season opener for both teams as the Sharks fall to 0-1 and the Cougars improve to 1-0.

Simmons will take on Keystone College, who lost to Farmingdale State College, 82-72, earlier in the day, tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in the consolation game, while Kean plays the Giants in the championship game at 3:00 p.m.

The Cougars took advantage of 37 Sharks' turnovers and knocked down seven three-pointers to earn the victory.

Junior guard Jennifer Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.) canned a three-pointer at 18:32 of the opening half to pull Simmons even at 4-4, but it would be as close as it would get as Kean scored the next six points and never trailed for the rest of the contest. Brasa later made a layup for the Sharks to make it 19-15 at the 9:11 mark, before the Cougars reeled off 18 straight points, fueled by five points from sophomore Jaquetta Owens (Bloomfield, N.J.), to take a 37-15 advantage with 3:27 left in the first period. Kean maintained its lead until the end of the half to take a 43-21 lead into the intermission.

Janiak hit a jumper early in the second half to pull Simmons within 51-29 at 15:49, but the Cougars put together a 15-2 stretch, led by five points from sophomore forward Kenya Adams (Jersey City, N.J.), to take a 66-31 cushion with 11:45 showing in the second stanza. Kean cruised the rest of the way to the victory.

Brasa was 7-14 from the floor, including a made three-pointer and 3-4 from the line to go with 10 rebounds for her fourth career double-double, while adding an assist to lead the Sharks. Sophomore forward Ashley McAdams (Freeport, N.Y.) ripped down a career-high and game-best 15 rebounds in addition to five points and an assist. Janiak finished with nine points and three boards, while junior forward Gracie Rolfe (Newton, Mass.) contributed with seven points, four rebounds and two assists.

First year center Najha Treadwell (Cinnaminson, N.J.) led the Cougars with 16 points, 12 rebounds and a pair of blocks to go with a steal in her collegiate debut, while senior guard Stephanie Carlone (Marlboro, N.J.) netted 12 points, pulled down seven caroms, dished out four assists and made a pair of steals. Owens ended the day with 11 points, five assists and four steals.