Sophomore post Mallory Singleton attempts to block a shot from Alcorn’s Kierro Frost. SMU defeated the Braves 76-54. (Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)

The women’s basketball team is now 1-0 after defeating Alcorn State 76-54 at Moody Coliseum on Saturday.

The Mustangs came out firing as they opened the first ten minutes of the game with an 18-5 run.

Samantha Mahnesmith led this run, scoring the Mustang’s first eight points and finishing with 11 at the half.

“I really wanted to start the year off strong,” Mahnesmith said.

Mahnesmith said she wants a successful season to finish her SMU career.

Mahnesmith’s totaled a team-high 13 points while shooting 5-8 from the field.

She also recorded a team-high six assists.

Fellow senior Christine Elliot finished with nine points and led the team in rebounds with 10.

Elliot had just two points in the first half, but came out strong in the second and scored the first five for the Mustangs.

Sophomore Krystal Johnson added 10 points for Mustangs, hitting 6-7 free throws.

Heidi Brandenburg finished with four points and one rebound.

Brandenburg ,the tallest player on the team (6 feet 3 inches), stayed in the paint on Saturday.

Brandenburg constantly moved outside to the perimeter, where she handled the ball acted as a guard.

This movement caused problems for Alcorn State because most of Brandenburg’s defenders couldn’t guard her that far from the basket, and the open space inside allowed others to drive to the basket or make inside cuts.

After the Mustangs gained a significant lead early in the first half, there was no looking back.

Despite Alcorn State’s physical play and stifling full-court press that led to 30 SMU turnovers, the Mustangs were able to keep a large lead.

SMU initially struggled a bit handling Alcorn State’s press, but by the second half the Mustangs figured it out and could work around it.

As soon as SMU was able to consistently break Alcorn State’s press, the Mustang offense gained more fast break opportunities and had a much easier time scoring.

The Mustangs held a consistent 20-point lead through the second half and this lead allowed everyone on the team to get minutes.

The final score of the game was 76-54.

SMU’s next opponent will be Arkansas-Little Rock Monday at 7:00 p.m.

After that they come home to face a difficult TCU team Thursday at 7:00 p.m.