Women’s Basketball played University of Texas El Paso last season, defeating UTEP 81-79. (Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)

Kicking off the 2011to 2012 season, the Mustang Women’s Basketball team will take on Alcorn State on Saturday at Moody Coliseum.

With a long season ahead of them, the Mustangs will be working to bring home a victory right out the gate against the Lady Braves at noon.

The SMU Stampede is coming off the 2010 to 2011 season after finishing in a three-way tie with UAB and UTEP for the No. 7 spot in C-USA (7-9).

Mustang senior Christine Elliott is sure to play an influential role in the upcoming season after leading SMU and finishing fourth in C-USA with a 53.7 percent shooting percentage.

Many of the most memorable moments SMU fans have of Elliott were during the previous season when she finished three games with double-doubles.

Athleticism and raw talent has enabled the senior from Wichita, Kan. to be the first player on the team to have 7.3 rebounds during a game and average a team-high 10.5 points per game.

Alcorn State finished the 2010 to 2011 season third overall in the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) with a conference record of 12-6.

Senior guard for the Braves Kiara Ruffin has been named as the SWAC Pre-Season Co-Player of the Year during the unveiling of the 2011 to 2012 SWAC Basketball Predicted order of Finish.

Ruffin also received first team honors for this year. Last season, Ruffin was named SWAC Player of the Year after averaging 17.7 points and 3.0 steals a game.

By the season’s close Ruffin was ranked at No. 18 in the nation.After battling the Lady Braves on the hardwood, the Mustangs will continue on to face off with teams such as TCU and North Texas before hosting the annual Hoops for the Cure at Moody Coliseum beginning Nov. 25. Conference play will begin for SMU on Jan. 5 at Tudor Fieldhouse when they take on the Rice Owls.