WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- The five starters accounted for 63 of the Presidents' 69 points in a 69-50 win over Lourdes (Ohio) to open the Smokey Ballenger Classic hosted by Otterbein.

With the win, the Washington & Jefferson women's basketball team improves to 8-1 to open the season for the first time since beginning the 2008-09 campaign 14-1. The loss is the sixth-straight for Lourdes, who falls to 5-10 on the year.

W&J built a 35-23 lead through the first 20 minutes thanks to 12 points from Taylor Cortazzo. Beka Bellhy (eight), Valerie Dunlap (six) and Alexa DelGreco (six) combined for 20 points in the opening period.

The Gray Wolves had the game within eight points, 49-41, at the 10:58-mark of the second half, but Cortazzo answered 26 seconds later with a layup that started a 14-2 run for the Presidents that lasted more than six minutes and put the game out of reach at 63-43 with just over four minutes to play.

Cortazzo led all players with 23 points, marking the second-straight game that she established a new career high after accounting for 21 points on Dec. 19 against Ohio Wesleyan.

Bellhy was in double figures for the seventh time this season and fourth-straight after tallying 18 points with seven rebounds. Dunlap recorded her 30th career double-double as she hauled in 13 rebounds to go along with 14 points and three blocks.

W&J plays Hiram on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. at Otterbein. The Terriers are coached by W&J alumnae and former women's basketball player and assistant coach Emily Hays.