LAKE CHARLES— McNeese women's basketball opened its season with a commanding 76-47 win over Dillard Monday morning in its annual kid's game with over 3,500 elementary kids from Calcasieu Parish in attendance that provided the energy in helping the Cowgirls to victory.
 
Junior Mireia Yespes tied her career high with a game high 12 points.  Ironically, Yespes recorded her career high last season against Ecclesia on Nov. 7, nearly a year ago to the date in last season's kid's game.
 
Yespes was 5 of 9 from the field and 2 of 4 from the free throw line.  She was joined in double figure scoring by Cristina Gil (11 pts.), Azjah Reeves and Emilia Tenbrock both scored 10 points apiece.  Julia Puente led McNeese with nine rebounds.
 
McNeese (1-0) opened the game by scoring the first nine points of the game before Dillard (0-3) got on the board.  The Cowgirls then outscored the Blue Devils 12-6 the rest of the quarter to lead 21-8 after the first stanza.
 
The Cowgirls nearly replicated the first quarter by outscoring Dillard 20-9 to take a 41-17 halftime lead.
 
McNeese would continue its dominance and held its largest lead of 32 points with just over two minutes to play before going on to pick up its first win of the season.
 
All 13 Cowgirls that were available saw playing time including 11 of the 13 getting into the game in the first quarter.
 
McNeese ended the game with a 39.4 field goal percent and outrebounded the Blue Devils 53-43.  The Cowgirls' defense forced 28 turnovers and held Dillard to a 26.7 field goal percent.
 
The Cowgirls will remain home for its next five games and will host Prairie View this Sunday in a 3 p.m. game.  
 
 
1^st Quarter
• McNeese scored the first nine points of the game
• 11 of the 13 Cowgirls that were available to play
• Cowgirls held a 21-8 first quarter lead
 
2^nd Quarter
• Cowgirls outscored Dillard 20-9 in the quarter to lead 41-17 at the half
• McNeese shot 40.0 percent from the field in the quarter
 
 3^rd Quarter
• Cowgirls increased the lead to 63-35 following a three-pointer by Alva Mofalk with 30 seconds left in the quarter
4^th Quarter
• McNeese held its largest lead of the game (32 pts.) with just over two minutes to play
 
 
McNeese Notes
• Was the first of six straight home games for McNeese
• All 13 players that were available saw playing time
• Four Cowgirls scored in double figures
• Mireia Yespes tied her career high with a game high 12 points
• Cristina Gil (11 pts.), Azjah Reeves (10 pts.) and Emilia Tenbrock (10 pts.) also scored in double figures
• Julie Puente led McNeese with nine rebounds including seven defensive rebounds
• Alva Mofalk was credited with seven rebounds