OKLAHOMA CITY - The Mid-America Christian University women's basketball team opened their 2018-19 campaign on Friday night, hosting the Manhattan Christian College  Thunder on the night the Evangels were to receive their 2018 NCCAA National Championship Rings. With the title banner freshly hung in the Gaulke Activity Center, the Evangels put on a show on both ends of the floor in a dominant season opening victory.

MACU (1-0) held Manhattan Christian to a shooting percentage of just .188 in the game, and the Evangels had four score in double-figures as MACU took the win, 98-21.

The Evangels used a suffocating full-court press to open the game on a 16-0 run that set the tone for the evening. The Evangels pushed their lead to as many as 28 in the opening quarter, and the rout was on. MACU forced 24 first half turnovers, and at intermission, the lead was 52-9. The Evangels did not allow MCC into double-figures as a team until the 3:09 mark of the third quarter, and when the dust had settled, MACU cruised home with the 98-21 victory.

Junior Alexis Shannon led all scorers in the game with 16 points, and she finished one rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards. Nevada Denton and newcomer Loralei Siliga each chipped in 14 points, and transfer Shaylan Coleman had 13 points as well. Coleman and freshman point guard Sydney Wycoff each doled out five assists in the game, and Siliga added five steals.

MACU made 43-of-92 (46.7%) shots from the floor, and that included 7-of-23 (30.4%) from long distance. The Evangels attempted only 10 free throws in the game, making five (50%). MACU out-rebounded MCC 58-33, and the Evangels had 21 steals and a 7:3 assist-to-turnover ratio as a team (21 Asst., 9 TO).

MACU will make a short road trip north on I-35 on Wednesday evening when they head to the oldest basketball arena west of the Mississippi River to battle the Southwestern College Moundbuilders (0-0) at Stewart Field House in Winfield, Kansas. The game is slated to tip-off at 6 p.m.