SLIPPERY ROCK — Alexas Brown likes the ball in her hands so she can put it in somebody else’s.

“That’s what I do,” Slippery Rock University’s junior point guard said. “Attack the defense, find who’s open and get her the ball.”

But she handled The Rock’s last bit of business herself Saturday night.

With the score tied and 19.2 seconds remaining, The Rock in-bounded the ball to Brown in the front court. She dribbled away from pressure, near mid-court before driving the lane.

Bouncing off a defender, Brown put up an off-balance jumper from 8 feet out that went off the glass and in at the buzzer, giving SRU a season-opening 89-87 women’s basketball win over Urbana at Morrow Field House.

“She handled that play the right way,” SRU coach Tanya Longo said. “There was no one to go to and we didn’t want anyone taking a shot until there were three seconds or fewer left.

“We wanted to either win or go into overtime on that possession. Alexas’ job was to attack their zone, read the defense and make the play. It just happened to be her’s.”

Brown made her Slippery Rock debut a memorable one. She is a transfer from State Fair Community College in Missouri and tallied 14 points and eight assists.

“I don’t remember hitting any last-second shots at State Fair,” she said. “I’m a playmaker. That’s what I did there and that’s what I want to do here.

“I’m one of three point guards in our rotation here. That’s fine with me. We all have to stay fresh.”

Saturday’s game was played at a quick pace throughout. SRU sank 9-of-13 shots from 3-point range in the first half, led by as many as 10, and settled for a three-point lead at halftime.

The score was tied seven times in the second half. Neither team ever led by more than five in the second 20 minutes and Urbana had an 85-80 lead with 1:50 to play.

D’Asia Chambers sank a 3-pointer and stuck back an offensive rebound to get The Rock even with 57 seconds left. Chambers finished with 21 points and six rebounds, Errine Cunningham 24 points, six boards and three steals.

Cunningham sank six 3-pointers, Chambers four. Danielle Garroutte came off the bench to nail three treys.

“We’ve got Errine playing the shooting guard position this year,” Longo said. “She played a lot of point guard for us last year and was a little out of position there. We can take better advantage of her offense now.”

Urbana is in its first year as a Division II league member and will compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The Blue Knights were 14-15 last year and return all six of their top scorers this season.

Urbana sank 24 of 28 free throws to SRU’s 13 of 25. Ciara Geiger had 24 points, DeVonyea Johnson 19 points and seven assists.

“You get some problem areas exposed in your opener and they got to the basket well against us,” Longo said. “We need to work on our defense that way and on our foul shooting.

“But it’s always a different mood, a good feeling when you win.”

SRU’s women do not play another home game until Dec. 18, a women’s-men’s doubleheader against West Chester. The Rock men make their home debut Nov. 19 vs. La Roche.