By Draven Dabrowski
Sports Writer
The Steinauer sisters turned the Owls’ home opener into a statement, combining for 49 points as the university overwhelmed Georgian Court University 104-59 in a fast, physical performance that set the tone for their season.
The team fed off the sisters’ early spark. Forward Rheyna Steinauer, a senior, lit up the floor with confident shooting and transition scoring, while guard Taeya Steinauer, a sophomore, controlled the paint in her Owls debut.
“Playing with her again is honestly heartwarming,” Rheyna said. “Giving her assists, her passing to me, it just felt natural. Our family was here today, so sharing a moment like that made it even better.”
Their on-court connection, sharpened through years of playing together, helped the university break the game open early. The Owls exploded for 29 first-quarter points, pushing the pace and forcing mistake after mistake from the Lions.
By halftime, the Owls led 53–33. The energy carried into the second half, where the university allowed just 25 total points across the final two quarters.
Rheyna finished with a career-high 30 points, going 80% from three and shooting with the confidence of a veteran.
“I just knew we were supposed to beat them by 60, and I wanted to get there. I knew if I had open threes, I had to hit them,” Rheyna said.
Taeya added 13 points and seven rebounds, providing the Owls with physicality inside and extra possessions on both ends.
“I just wanted to get every possession we could,” Taeya said. “With our posts like Rheyna and Jada, we all focused on owning the glass.”
The Owls’ depth also stood out in the victory. Forward Jada Williams, a graduate, had 14 points, two assists and nine rebounds, while forward Tish Blackwood, a freshman, added six points and four assists despite foul trouble.
The Owls forced 38 turnovers, translating them into 22 fast break points and consistent scoring opportunities.
Head Coach Kate Lynch said the first half revealed both strengths and the areas the team must tighten.
“We got off to a little bit of a rough start, but I think that happens when it’s the first game,” Lynch said. “Half of our team is new, either freshman or transfer, but I thought we really got it together in the second half.”
Lynch praised the Steinauer pairing as well.
“They grew up together, so they know where each other will be at the exact moment,” Lynch said. “They didn’t just score; they rebounded and shared the ball.”
The Owls held Georgian Court to 17 points or fewer in each quarter, one of their internal defensive goals.
“Fifteen is too much for us,” Lynch said. “We challenge each other to defend every possession.”
“We definitely can’t play passive tomorrow,” Rheyna said. “We need to level it up by 100.”
