BELMONT, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's basketball team closed out the calendar year on a high note with a convincing 81-55 win at Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday.

The Penguins (6-4/2-1 PacWest) wasted no time and led by double digits just over five minutes into play. By the half, Dominican led 45-18. Junior guard Allyssa Weatherd, who finished with a game-high 24 points, had 15 herself at that point. The lead grew to as large as 31 in the second half as the Penguins were able to utilize the bench and finished with all but two players in the scoring column.

Dominican played stifling defense in the first half and held the Argonauts (0-10/0-3 PacWest) to 25 percent (5-of-20) shooting. Overall, the Penguins only allowed the Argos to shoot 27.8 (15-of-54), in part thanks to a career-high five blocks from sophomore forward Sandra Ikeora. Dominican also forced a season-high 30 turnovers.

Freshman guard Alyssa Lorenzo came off the bench to score a career-high 16 points in 22 minutes. Ikeora, who had 11 points, and junior center Ashley Sorensen each grabbed nine rebounds apiece as the Penguins also won the reboarding battle, 47-40. Melissa Boscarino came off the bench for 10 points and a game-high six assists.

Freshman guard Marinel Alcantara led NDNU with 15 points. Freshman forward Jerusha Paine added a double-double with 13 ponits and 14 rebounds.

Dominican returns to action in 2016 with a three-game homestand, Jan. 5 to 9. The homestand begins on Tuesday, Jan. 5 vs. BYU-Hawaii. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. followed by the men's teams at 7:30 p.m. Live stats and pay-per-view video will be available at dominicanathletics.com/live with live audio provided by Penguin Radio at radio.dominican.edu.