While the Aggies struggled to find their rhythm from the floor in their season opener in the preseason WNIT, Fitz was 12-for-15 from the floor for 30 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Behind Fitz, the Red Foxes defeated the Aggies 80-64 at the McCann Center.

Fitz's night helped the Red Foxes shoot 48.3 percent from the field. N.C. A&T shot 31.9 percent from the floor. Senior guard Ta'Wuana Cook finished with 15 points and five rebounds to lead the Aggies. Crystal Murdaugh and Jaleesa Sams had 10 points apiece with Murdaugh adding eight rebounds. Sophomore Tierra Thomas finished with a career-high 10 boards.

“You always like to win the first one, but at the same time you know there is a whole lot of season ahead,'' said N.C. A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. “We lost our first two last year, and went on to have an outstanding year. Right now, we have some people getting used to new roles.”

The Aggies were also playing without three of their five seniors in leading rebounder Lamona Smalley and key reserves Shantar Waddell and Reisha Bullock.

A layup by freshman Nikia Gorham moved the Aggies to within seven at 27-20 with 7:30 remaining in the first half. But a layup and 3-pointer by Corielle Yarde helped the Red Foxes extend their lead to 15 at 35-20. Marist's lead ballooned to 22 before a 13-2 run aided by a Jaleesa Sams 3-point play cut the lead to 65-54 with 8:24 remaining in the game.

A Brandy Gang 3-pointer and a jumper from Fitz ended any hopes of a come-from-behind victory for the Aggies.