SHERMAN, Texas - It was clear early on that it had been nearly a year since the Austin College women's basketball team saw live game action, falling behind 22-11 to the University of Dallas late in the first quarter, but the 'Roos shook off the rust in the second on their way to a 93-73 win on Friday night in Hughey Gym.

Megan O'Neil's three just before the horn sounded in the opening frame cut it to a 22-14 game heading into the second, and after the Crusaders took a 27-18 lead, Austin College scored 10 unanswered to go on top 28-27 with 6:22 left before halftime. Dallas regained a 32-28 lead, but the 'Roos closed the half with a 16-2 run to head into the locker room leading 44-34. Austin College shot 50% from the field in the quarter after going 5-of-18 in the first 10 minutes. Reagan Chiaverini scored 10 points and grabbed seven boards in the opening half, while Kacie West scored nine points early to lead the 'Roos. 

The second quarter momentum continued after halftime, with Austin College scoring the first eight points to make it a 52-34 game, but the Crusaders started to chip away at the margin and closed to within 10 points at 56-46 with 3:20 left in the third. The 'Roos responded with a quick seven point burst capped off by a three from Lauren Traylor to make it 63-46 with just under two minutes on the clock. Traylor would score again just before the end of the third to help push the margin to 69-51 heading into the fourth.

A Sarah Gwin triple made it 78-55 with 6:55 left to play, and the lead grew to 87-60 later in the quarter on another three from Gwin. The 'Roos would coast from there, closing out the season opener with a final score of 93-73.

Gwin led all scorers with 19 points, knocking down 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, and Ally Longaker scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while dishing out four assists and coming away with three blocked shots. O'Neil came off the bench to add 15 points in her collegiate debut, and Chiaverini scored 12 points and had eight boards and five assists. West finished the game with 11 to give Austin College five players in double figures.

Raylee Minich led Dallas with 16 points off the bench, and Alyssa Sullivan added 14. Amber Turner and Camille Fowler each scored 11, with Fowler adding six assists while Turner handed out five in the game.

Austin College and Dallas will take to the court once again tomorrow with game time set for 1:00 p.m. in Hughey.