The Carthage women’s basketball team shot a searing 67 percent from the field in the first half en route to a 75-51 win over Monmouth at Glennie Gymnasium in Monmouth, Ill., in the opener for both teams Tuesday night.

The Reds also made 5-of-8 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes in taking a 37-18 lead at halftime.

Carthage took the lead for good with 18 minutes and 13 seconds left in the first half on a 3-pointer by Dani Ripkey. The Carthage lead went into double-digits for good on a Ripkey 3-pointer with 12:17 left in the first half.

Ripkey, who was 4-of-8 on 3-pointers, and Heather Gilmore led Carthage with 16 points each. Gilmore also had five assists and Ripkey had six rebounds and four steals.

Rosie Dorn had 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds while Division-1 transfer Diana Jacklin logged 12 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and four steals in her Carthage debut.

The Carthage lead peaked at 28 on layup by Allison Groessl with 12:42 left. Monmouth got to 13 with 7:30 to go but Jacklin responded with a conventional 3-point play which ignited a 10-0 run that enabled Reds to keep a 20-point cushion the rest of the way.

Carthage hosts Beloit in its home opener 2 p.m. Saturday.