LAKE CHARLES— McNeese women's basketball opened its 2022-23 season with a 110-26 home win over Ecclesia here Monday in its "Kids Game". All fifth graders from Calcasieu Parish were in attendance, in what will be an annual event.
 
McNeese (1-0) scored the first 25 points of the game in the first four minutes and never looked back. The Cowgirls held a 39-10 first quarter lead and a 59-16 halftime lead with its largest lead of 84 points with 2:08 left in the game.
 
"I loved how we started the game," said head coach Lynn Kennedy. "Defensively we had the intensity we needed, we blocked out even though we gave up the first offensive rebound on the first possession, after that we locked down on the board. Offensively we were clicking early on and for the first game to have this atmosphere with the kids' game, it was more than I could expect from this game."
 
All 15 McNeese players saw action with 14 scoring at least two points. The Cowgirls finished the game with five players scoring in double figures with Auburn transfer Paris Mullins scoring a game high 18 points off the bench.  Kaili Chamberlin chipped in 17 points while Stephanie Guihon scored 12. Divine Tanks and Alicja Falkowska both ended with 10 apiece. Tanks pulled down a game high 13 rebounds for her first double double of the season.
 
McNeese will remain home to host UT-Rio Grande Valley this Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
 
 
1^st QUARTER—McNeese opened the game by scoring the first 25 points before Ecclesia scored with five minutes left in the quarter. McNeese led 39-10 after the quarter and shot 54.2 percent from the field.
 
2^nd QUARTER—The Cowgirls continued to extend its lead to outscore the Royals 20-6 in the second quarter to hold a 59-16 lead. McNeese shot 57.1 percent in the quarter, making 8 of 12 from the field.
 
3^rd QUARTER— The Cowgirls pulled out to a 79-20 lead on a Yespes layup with 2:45 left in the quarter. McNeese held an 83-20 lead after the quarter. McNeese shot 50 percent from the field (8 of 16).
 
4^th QUARTER—McNeese outscored the Royals 27-6 in the final period and shot 60 percent from the field.
 
McNEESE NOTES
• It's the 16^th time in program history McNeese scores over 100 points
• The 110 points is the fourth most scored in a game in program history
• It's the largest margin of victory in program history (84 points)
• The 26 points allowed is the second least amount of points allowed in program history. McNeese allowed only 23 points Southern (New Orleans) during the 2011-12 season
• McNeese scored the first 25 points of the game
• All 15 players saw action
• 14 of the 15 scored at least two points
• Five Cowgirls scored in double figures
• Senior Divine Tanks recorded a double double (10 pts., 13 reb.)
• Auburn transfer Paris Mullins led the Cowgirls with 18 points
• Senior Desirae Hansen didn't score but led McNeese with six assists
• Senior Le'Shenae Stubblefield led McNeese with four steals