MARSHALL, Minn. – The Missouri Western women’s basketball team finished a strong opening statement with a 93-61 win at Southwest Minnesota State. The Griffons got a career-high 26 points from Sarafina Handy and 23 from Julia Torres-Alves in her first appearance with Missouri Western.

MWSU outscored the host school 51-24 in the second half, including holding them to eight points in the final quarter. The Griffons scored 41 of those second half points in the final 15 minutes of the game, leading just 52-48 with five minutes left in the third quarter. MWSU shot 55 percent from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 73 percent from the free throw line. The Griffons won the battle in the paint, scoring 52 points inside to SMSU’s 20.

Torres-Alves led the team with nine rebounds and was 8-13 from the field, including two three’s and all five of her free throws. Miliakere Koyamainavure and Dwanisha Tate each had nine points for Missouri Western. Missouri Western continues play at the SMSU/Applebee’s Classic Saturday at 3 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —