(Carlisle, Pa.) – The Dickinson women's basketball team used a strong start to turn back Swarthmore College, 68-59, on Saturday afternoon at the Kline Center.

The Red Devils jumped out to 21-9 lead in the first quarter behind a trio of three-pointers from Jennifer Kremp (Jenkintown, Pa./Jenkintown) and seven points from Kate Deutsch (Marlton, N.J./Camden Catholic).

The Garnet gained some ground in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to just three at the midpoint of the period. Senior Emily Padalino (West Sand Lake, N.Y./Albany Academy) hit a big three-pointer and Kremp added another to give Dickinson a 37-28 advantage at halftime.

Deutsch started to control the inside while the Red Devils had strong play from first-year Maura Leverone (Herndon, Va./Bishop O'Connell) to stretch the lead to 19 in the third quarter.

Leverone hit a free throw to put Dickinson up by 20 in the fourth but Swarthmore would keep things interesting with a late run.

The Garnet knocked down three triples to cut the deficit to just nine with 2:02 remaining in regulation. The Red Devils kept their composure to close out the game down the stretch.

Deutsch finished with 17 points and seven rebounds while Kremp tallied 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, hitting four three-pointers on the afternoon.

Paladino had a big game with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals while Leverone added eight points as well. Senior Hannah Heiring (Wayzata, Minn./Wayzata) turned in some big minutes, adding four points, three rebounds and a pair of steals.

The Red Devils improve to 8-7 overall and 6-4 in the Centennial Conference. They are on the road on Wednesday, traveling to Muhlenberg College for a 6:00 pm tip-off.