ELLISVILLE, Miss. – LSU Eunice Women's Basketball used a big performance off the bench from Kamiera McDonald (Baton Rouge, LA, Scotlandville HS) to pave the way towards a 78-69 victory over Jones College on the road Saturday.  The Bengals won their first season opener in three years and took down Jones for the first time since 2005.
 
McDonald helped spark a second half rally for LSU Eunice, who trailed 33-29 at half.  The Bengals exploded out of intermission, outscoring Jones 27-11 in the third quarter.  McDonald played a big role in that surge, scoring 13 of her game-high 24 points in the quarter alone.
 
She would pass the baton to Ray'Onna Sterling (St. James, LA, Walker HS) in the fourth quarter as the fellow freshman scored eight points in the final frame, including going 6-for-8 from the free throw stripe.  Sterling finished with 13 points on the night.
 
The rookie duo was joined by Ja'miya Vann (Walker, LA, Walker HS) and Mariah Heard (Bastrop, LA, Bastrop HS) with double digit point efforts.  Vann led the Bengals outside scoring, sinking three of the team's six three-point baskets.
 
The Bengals fell behind 18-12 in the first quarter before closing the gap right before half.  It was a balanced approach in the first half for LSUE as seven different players would score.
 
LSU Eunice is back on the road this Wednesday as the Bengals travel to face nationally ranked Trinity Valley at 6:30PM.  The Bengals' home opener is set for Friday, November 8 against Coastal Bend College at 5:30PM.