SLIPPERY ROCK — It's been 305 days since Nikki Presto had this feeling at the end of a Slippery Rock University women's basketball game.

The thrill of victory.

Presto was magnificent at point guard for The Rock in its home opener against Tiffin Thursday night, scoring 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting, handing out seven assists and grabbing eight rebounds in a 76-57 win.

It was SRU's first victory since Jan. 19 and snapped a 12-game losing skid dating back to last season.

"Talking to other players in the conference, Slippery Rock doesn't mean anything," Presto said. "It motivated me this year."

The Rock (1-2) dropped its first two games of the season at the Kutztown Tournament, but was never in real danger of losing to Tiffin (1-2), which scored the game's first basket and never held the lead again.

SRU scored the next 11 points and held off a charge by Tiffin late in the first half to take a 43-38 lead into the locker room.

With The Rock's frenetic style this season, no matter what the outcome it will be entertaining.

Presto, a junior, provided much of the theatrics.

She made an underhanded shot that kissed off the glass on a drive to the hoop late in the first half, hit a running one-handed jumper in the second half and made several crisp no-look passes to set up teammates for baskets throughout the night.

"I think tonight was unusual because I scored," Presto said. "I'm not a scoring threat. It feels good to score, but I'd rather just pass. I just want to win. It doesn't really matter how."

Slippery Rock coach Laurel Heilman subscribes to Presto's doctrine, too.

"I don't need her to score," Heilman said. "I need her to be the quarterback on the floor."

Presto was downright Brett-Favre-like, minus the gray stubble.

After her 3-pointer midway through the second half that gave The Rock its biggest lead of the night at 14 points and quashed any legitimate hope at a Tiffin comeback, she twirled and clapped her hands vigorously.

"This year I have been a lot more enthusiastic," Presto said.

Presto certainly had a lot to cheer about.

Sasha Sales scored a game-high 21 points off the bench and Grove City High graduate Julie Molloy had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Like Molloy, Presto was hurt for parts of last season. So was Chere Marshall, who is out at least two more weeks with a wrist injury.

"Last year I think should have an asterisk beside it because of all the injuries. We were hit hard," Presto said. "I think this game will propel us forward."

So does Heilman, who summed up what this win meant in one word.

"Huge," the coach said. "Huge."

TIFFIN 57Holly Focke 1-7 0-0 3, Fallon Sanborn 2-8 0-0 5, Kylene Speigal 3-8 0-0 7, Alexis Karel 4-11 3-4 11, Leanne Lucius 4-12 0-0 8, Megan Jesulaitis 0-2 0-0 0, Mandy Jaeb 4-11 0-0 9, MeganFletcher 2-9 0-0 4, Katrina Clark 0-0 0-0 0, Jennifer Johnston 4-6 0-0 10, Jessica Harris 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 24-75 3-4 57

SLIPPERYROCK 76Amanda Nero 3-5 0-0 7, Julie Molloy 6-11 2-2 16, Nikki Presto 6-7 4-6 18, Alissa Schake 2-6 0-0 4, Jess Schake 0-8 12 1, Kendra Kutz 2-3 1-2 5, Haley Gaidosh 2-5 0-0 4, Grace Palucis 0-1 0-0 0, Sasha Sales 9-15 3-5 21. Totals: 30-61 11-17 76

Halftime score: SRU 43-38

3-point goals: Tiffin, Focke, Sanborn, Spiegel, Jaeb, Johnston 2. SRU, Nero, Molloy 2, Presto 2