"It was tough preparing for South Carolina," Penn State coach Coquese Washingtion said. "The one thing we know about Dawn in her coaching style and style as a player is she's aggressive, always attacking."
Tyra Grant, the lone Penn State player in double figures, scored 17 points.
"Coming into the season, I knew we would struggle to score," Staley said. "We had to find some scoring from somewhere because I knew they were going to neutralize [center Demetress Adams'] contributions to our team. We have to find other people to help with that load."
Adams had a game-high 12 rebounds and 11 points, a scoring total also reached by South Carolina's C.J. Pace. Brionna Dickerson added 10 points.
La Salle 71, Long Island 57 - Morgan Robertson had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Explorers (2-0) in a win over the Blackbirds (0-1) at Tom Gola Arena. Margaret Elderton had a team-high 16 points, while La Salle's Jamie Walsh and Ashley Gale each added 11 points.
Long Island's Ashley Palmer had 30 points and 16 rebounds.
St. Joseph's 71, Lehigh 63 - The Hawks (1-1) squandered a 15-point lead but used a 13-5 run at the finish to prevail over the Mountain Hawks (1-1) on the campus of Philadelphia University.
St. Joseph's is using the facility for all but two of its women's home games while Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse is renovated.
Brittany Ford scored 19 points for the Hawks, while Ashley Logue and Mary Kate McDade each added 14 points. Lehigh's Erica Prosser had a game-high 20 points.
American 74, Drexel 65 - Gabriela Marginean scored 22 of her game-high 31 points in the second half but the Dragons dropped their season opener to the Eagles (2-0) in Washington. American's Michelle Kirk scored 18 points.
Delaware 62, Columbia 48 - The Blue Hens got 18 points from Tesia Harris to win their season opener in a nonconference game against the Lions (0-2) in Newark, Del.
Contact staff writer Mel Greenberg at 215-854-5725 or mgreenberg@phillynews.com. Read his blog at go.philly.com/womhoops
