By By Nick Pipitone

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.-The pieces of the puzzle are set for the Pride women’s basketball team this season, but it might take some time for head coach Felisha Legette-Jack and her team to figure them out.

The Pride lost its season-opener Friday, 63-53, to the Fordham University Rams after leading by four at halftime. Key turnovers down the stretch did the Pride in as it suffered a surprising loss in the team’s first game.

Junior shooting guard Cigi McCollin had a team-high 17 points, going 6 of 12 from the field and hitting four three-pointers, while senior power forward Amaka Agugua posted six points and seven boards in the loss.

The Pride shot 37-percent from the field and turned the ball over 23 times. The Rams outscored it 42-28 in the second half to surge back for the win. Rams guard Lisa Carol led Fordham with 24 points in the winning effort. The Pride (0-1) host Sacred Heart on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Hofstra Arena before embarking for Malibu, Calif., to participate in the Pepperdine Thanksgiving Classic on Friday and Saturday.