San Antonio - The Trinity University Tiger women's basketball team, ranked No. 11 in the NCAA Division III, opened its Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference campaign with a 68-53 victory over the Southwestern University Pirates Thursday night in Sams Gym.

Trinity, undefeated at 5-0 (1-0 SCAC), was paced by sophomore guard Ali Marzella of Katy, Texas (Taylor), who scored a game-high 17 points. Marzella shot 5-11 from the field, 2-7 beyond the arc, and sank all five free throws.  She also had six steals,. four rebounds, and four assists.

Junior post Lindsey Hovland and sophomore forward Kelsey Goodell each contributed 12 points. Hovland, from Colleyville, Texas (Heritage), shot 3-5 from the field and made 6-6 free throws, along with picking up four rebounds. Goodell, from Portland, Ore. (Lincoln), was 4-10 from the field, 3-4 at the line and made a 3-pointer. She also had a team-leading seven rebounds, and blocked two shots. Junior guard Danielle Hubenak of San Antonio (Churchill) scored five points, and had a game-best five assists. Hubenak also recorded three steals. 

The Tigers, who led 35-23 at halftime, swept the Pirates each of the past two seasons, winning in both San Antonio and Georgetown.

Southwestern (2-3, 0-1 SCAC) was paced by Shae Seagraves' 14 points. Staley Mullins recorded a double-double, with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The two teams will meet again Feb. 19 in Georgetown.

Trinity will next play Dec. 19-20 at the Trip Sports Tournament in Las Vegas. The Tigers return home Dec. 28-29 to host the Texas Challenge.