LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's basketball opened its home slate by setting a new school single game three-point record by making 17 treys in its 98-48 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God here Saturday to improve to 2-0 on the season. The old record was 16 that was set during the 2007-08 season.
 
McNeese jumped out to an early12-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game and never looked back on its way to its home opening win.
 
"We got a couple steals and three's early on that set the momentum for the game," said head coach Lynn Kennedy. "We need to clean it up in the middle and gave up too many offensive rebounds but overall I liked how we started. I loved our intensity and how we finished."
 
McNeese placed two players in double figures with Zuzanna Kulinska leading all players with a game high 18 points. Kyla Hamilton came off the bench to score 14 while Desirae Hansen was credited with eight assists.
 
Mary Jo Parker led SAGU with 14 points on the day and Cammi Teplicek chipped in with 10 points.
 
The Cowgirls began their three-point shooting barrage in the first quarter, connecting on six of their 14 attempts to take a 25-14 lead before going into the half leading 49-26 off a 62.5 field goal shooting percent in the second quarter.
 
McNeese picked up its defensive intensity in the second half and held SAGU to one shot several times on offense which allowed the Cowgirls to kick the ball out and score several points off the fast break. The Cowgirls scored 20 of their points off the Fastbreak and 57 points from its bench. All 12 players that suited up for the game, scored at least five points.
 
McNeese really took control of the game in the final quarter, outscoring the Lions 30-7 in the final stanza.
 
"I like the idea where we can drive and then kick out for an open shot and we did this a lot in the second half," Kennedy said. "Fans are going to get used to us shooting a lot of three and anytime you can make that many, it will open up the lane to allow us to get to the basket."
 
The Cowgirls ended the game shooting 53.1 percent from the field (34-64), 45.9 percent from behind the arc (17-34) and 68.4 percent from the free throw line (13-19).
 
McNeese will hit the road for its next two games beginning with a 5 p.m. game on Monday, Nov. 15 at Arkansas State. The Cowgirls will return home on Wed., Nov. 24 against Centenary following a road game at UT-Rio Grande Valley on Nov. 11.
 
GAME NOTES
•-Cowgirls set a new McNeese single game three-pointers made record with 17. The old record was 16 set during the 2007-08 season
•- Zuzanna Kulinska scored a career high 18 points to lead all players in scoring
•- Kyla Hamilton came off the bench to score 14 points
•- All 12 Cowgirls that dressed out scored at least five points
•- Six Cowgirls made at least one three-pointer
•- McNeese scored 57 bench points