The Angelo State women's basketball team (0-1) opened the 2008-09 season Saturday afternoon with a 73-59 loss against St. Mary's. The game was part of a classic hosted by Incarnate Word.

Despite shooting only just 18 percent from the field in the first half, the 'Belles trailed by just two points, 27-25, to St. Mary's, the defending champion of the Heartland Conference. However, ASU could not slow down the Rattlers in the second half and would drop its first season opener in four seasons.

Senior center Ann Parks began her final campaign with a "double-double" with 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead the 'Belles in both categories. Parks went 6-for-10 from the floor and hit 6-of-12 free throws. Sophomore guard Camille Perkins, ASU's leading scorer a year ago, had eight points and junior guard Christie Rasmussen had seven points.

St. Mary's (1-0) scored the first four points of the game before the 'Belles would charge back with eight unanswered points, off three-pointers by Rasmussen and senior forward Leina Braxton and pair of free throws by Perkins, to take an 8-4 lead.  Angelo State widened its lead in the first half to as many as six points before the Rattlers ended the period on a 17-9 run.

The 'Belles scored the first three points of the second half, using a jumper from senior forward Lauren Weishuhn and one-of-two free throws from junior forward Tiffany Hardwell, to give ASU back the lead, 28-27, with 19:16 remaining in the game. However, the Rattlers used a 20-1 run over the next 6:21 to take their largest lead of the game at 47-29 with 12:57 left.  St. Mary's shot 54 percent (11-of-21) from the floor in the second half and would not allow the 'Belles to get closer than eight points after making its run.

ASU will now face Incarnate Word at 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon to close out the classic. The 'Belles will play their home opener Tuesday night as they host St. Edward's at 6 p.m. at the Junell Center.