AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Paine College women's basketball team cruised to a 70-45 win over Benedict Monday evening.

The Lady Lions are now 1-9 on the season.

Head coach Kisha Lucette's team was led by Ashley Rubio's 16 points. Jada Brooks, Alexandria Caples and Neani Stewart totaled 11 points apiece. Kyra McCrary tallied seven points and seven rebounds while Rubio and Adewunmi Atiba had two blocks apiece.

Paine College jumped out to a 9-2 edge at the 7:00 mark when Jada Brooks converted a lay-up. The Lady Lions pushed the advantage to eight at 12-4 on a three-ball from Kyra McCrary with 3:24 to play in the quarter. Up 16-8, Myah Beasley nailed a jumper in the lane with seven ticks on the clock for an 18-8 edge going into the second quarter.

Two baskets from Caples extended the lead to 23-8 with 6:24 to play before halftime. Benedict cut the margin to nine but Rubio buried a three-point basket from the wing. A pair of free throws from Stewart increased the margin to 14 with 31 seconds to play. Paine College held a 30-17 lead at the break.  

Paine College continued to stay hot from the floor. The team quickly took a 39-19 lead on Stewart's jumper in the lane. Up by 18 at 47-29, Rubio connected on back-to-back three-point shots for a 53-29 margin before holding a 53-31 advantage going into the final 10 minutes of action.

The Lady Lions were never threatened in the final quarter en route to the win. Paine College shot 27-of-68 from the floor, including seven-of-16 from downtown in the victory. The team registered 17 points on the break compared to just two by the visitors.  

The Lady Lions return to action Thursday, Jan. 12, when they host Allen at 6 p.m.