EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice Women's Basketball picked up right where it left off last season, using its defense to power the Bengals to a 103-34 victory over Wiley University JV on Saturday at the HPRE Center.  The Bengals (1-0) led from wire-to-wire in the season opening statement.
 
The game was called early in the fourth quarter as a Wiley player suffered a serious injury. 
 
After leading the nation in steals and turnovers per game, LSUE's showed signs of improvement in the first game of the new year.  The Bengals forced 55 turnovers including 35 steals.  Saidastiny Stewart (Baton Rouge, LA, Dulles HS (TX)) led the defensive effort, collecting nine steals in the win – the third most in a single game in LSUE history.  The 35 team steals also tied a program record for a single game, tying the record set last year against Wiley.
 
The Bengals roared out to 31 points in the first quarter, led by Reesie Jinks (Grant, LA, Fairview HS) pouring in eight of her 18 points in the opening stanza.  Jinks was one of four Bengals to score double digits.
 
LSUE kept up the pressure on both ends to close the half, taking a 56-25 advantage into the intermission.  The Bengals put the game out of reach in the third quarter, outscoring Wiley 38-7 in the quarter.
 
Stewart led all scorers with 24 points off the bench, flirting with a triple-double adding seven rebounds and her nine steals.  She was joined by Jinks as well as Izabella Henry (Hornbeck, LA, Anacoco HS) (14 points) and Jamiya Woodard (Tulsa, OK, Union HS) (11 points) with double-digit scoring efforts.
 
The Bengals tallied 25 assists during the afternoon, led by Jinks distributing five assists. All 13 Bengals that saw action would score during the game.
 
LSUE is back on the court this Tuesday, hosting East Texas Baptist University at 6:00PM inside the HPRE Center.