WALTHAM, Mass. – The Regis College women's basketball team tipped off its 2025–26 campaign this evening with a short trip across town to Brandeis University for the Brandeis Invitational, presented by the Park Lodge Hotel Group. The home team came out on top, as the Judges defeated the Pride 80–53 to hand Regis its first loss of the season.

Jillian Perry (Melrose, Mass.) led the Pride with 13 points, three steals, and two assists. Madi Zancan (Cumberland, R.I.) added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Kailyn Smith (Chelmsford, Mass.) contributed across the board with six points, five rebounds, four steals, three assists, and two blocks.

For Brandeis, six players finished in double figures. Abby Kennedy and Savaih Shabazz each tallied 13 points and eight rebounds to lead the way for the Judges.

How it Happened

Behind four early points from Smith, the Pride jumped out to an early advantage before Brandeis responded with nine unanswered - five of those coming from Sofia Berisha - to take their first lead of the game at 11–6. Perry stopped the bleeding with a tough bucket in the paint, but the Judges built on their momentum to hold a 19–12 lead after the opening quarter.

At the six-minute mark of the second, a three-pointer from Jordyn Striggles (Raynham, Mass.) brought the Pride within five, but the Judges answered right back with a deep ball of their own to spark an 8–0 run. Every time Regis looked to chip away, Brandeis had a response, and a last-second heave before the halftime buzzer sent the home team into the break ahead 40–23.

Brandeis carried that energy into the third quarter, opening with a 10–1 run before a Jojo Ready (Chatham, Mass.) triple briefly halted their momentum. A pair of fellow first-years found the bottom of the net to cut the deficit to 54–34, but the Judges again clamped down defensively, allowing just one more Regis basket in the quarter to head into the final frame up 63–37.

Perry did her best to spark a comeback, scoring eight of her 13 points in the fourth quarter, but the deficit proved too much to overcome as Brandeis closed out an 80–53 victory to open the 2025 season.

Inside the Numbers

• Kristina Asmani (Witchita, Kan.) Jojo Ready (Chatham, Mass.), Allyson Piecewicz (Bridgewater, Mass.), Zoey Swanson (North Easton, Mass.), and Riley Whittier (Marlborough, Mass.) all made their collegiate debuts in the crimson and gold tonight. Piecewicz, Ready, Asmani, and Whittier each recorded their first collegiate basket in the effort.
• Jillian Perry tied her career high in points tonight with 13. 

Up Next

The Pride return to Brandeis tomorrow for day two of the Brandeis Invitational, presented by the Park Lodge Hotel Group, where they will take on the reigning Division III National Champions, New York Univeristy, with tip off scheduled for noon.