Reedley College opened the 2017-2018 women's basketball season with a convincing 80-57 victory over the 2-3 Modesto Junior College Pirates on Tuesday night in Reedley.

Nine of the 10 Lady Tigers in uniform scored in the first 10 minutes as Reedley opened up a 31-15 lead after the first quarter. Modesto pulled to within 41-29 at halftime.

Gernijah Martin (Roosevelt, Fresno) led Reedley's balanced scoring attack with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Jelani Williford (Stockton) followed with 15 points, four steals and four assists. Zavia Barlow (Washington Union) with 14 points and seven rebounds. Nyla Curtis (Compton), the Tigers' leading scorer last season battled foul trouble and finished with nine points and 11 rebounds while I'man Conley (Edison) also had nine points.

Shaelyn Craven made five 3-pointers for Modesto and led all scorers with 18 points.

Reedley returns to action with a 7 pm matchup at home on Tuesday, Nov. 14 against the Gavilan College Rams. It will be the last home game for the Lady Tigers until Wednesday, Jan. 3 as they open Central Valley Conference action against West Hills Lemoore. Before facing the Golden Eagles, Reedley will play in five different tournaments.

By Will Goldbeck