DETROIT, Mich. -- Ninth year head coach Antonio Hitchcock and the Mustangs (1-0, 0-0 WHAC) turned an 11-point halftime lead into a runaway 77-40 final over the visiting Cougars of Kuyper College (0-1). The 37-point victory was due in part to the Mustangs' strong defense after allowing a mere 18 second half points.

On the offensive end, the Mustangs exploded for 44 points in the second stanza behind strong play from senior leader Keara Marks (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance). Marks would tally 22 points to go along with 16 rebounds, three assists, and three steals to help lift the Mustangs to a season-opening victory.

With the 22 points, Marks moves to within 21 points of becoming the third 1,000-point scorer in program history.

Marks was joined in double figures by junior guard Candice Minus (Flint, Mich./Mott CC) with 14 points. Minus added five boards, four assists and three steals to complete one of her most well-rounded days as a Mustang.

Elisha Major (Flint, Mich./Carmen Ainsworth) and Shakia Logan (Detroit, Mich./AIB) also reached double figures in scoring with 12 and 10 points respectively.

Arielle Edwards (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) snagged 10 rebounds to go along with four points.

Game Notes: The Mustangs held the Cougars to 28% shooting in the second half … The Cougars committed 30 turnovers compared to 10 for the Mustangs … The win lifts the Mustangs to 1-0 for the second straight season …