SMU forward Brittany Gilliam powers through the lane last semester during a victory over the Houston Cougars. (CASEY LEE/The Daily Campus)

After an exciting game opener win against Loyola Marymount University, SMU’s women’s basketball team is ready to continue their success tonight against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. Tip-off will happen at 7 p.m. in SMU’s Moody Coliseum.

Both the Mustangs and the Razorbacks won their 2009-10 season openers this week. The final score of the SMU game was 78-58, and Arkansas beat Alcorn State 87-78.

Since 2006, the Razorbacks have won all three of the games played against the Mustangs. Overall, the Mustangs are 4-21 against Arkansas and haven’t won since December of 1993. SMU has not hosted Arkansas since 2005.

Almost exactly a year ago, Nov. 21, 2008, the Mustangs lost 78-69 to the Razorbacks. Last season, SMU won 13 games at home and only lost three. Hopefully the home court advantage will have positive effects on the game’s result. 

“SMU is a better opponent and it will be a challenge to face them on their own floor,” University of Arkansas head coach Tom Collen said, according to arkansasrazorbacks.com.

While SMU has returned with all five of their starters from last season, the Razorbacks have experienced more of a turnover. During their match against Alcorn State, freshman Sarah Watkins started for the Razorbacks. The two highest scorers for the Razorbacks were Watkins, with 20 points, and Ashley Daniels, with 21.

As predicted by head coach Rhonda Rompola prior to the game opener, the team has many key players as demonstrated last Friday night. The main scorers were post Christine Elliott and guards Brittan Gilliam, Jillian Samuels and Raquel Christian. Elliott, sophomore, scored 18 points, and the listed guards each scored 10 points during the Mustang led game. There were also two new faces on the court last game: Sarah Shelton and Heidi Brandenburg.

“The best part of being a part of Mustang basketball is seeing the level of play increase,” Rompola said.

Her theory will be tested tonight on the hardwood at Moody Coliseum.