Five hit double figures as #10 Queens roll in debut

Box Score  Five players scored in double figures as the 10^th-ranked Wayland Baptist Flying Queens opened their season by rolling to a 90-55 victory over University of the Southwest (N.M.) on Tuesday night in Hutcherson Center.
 
 "It's always good to get that first one," Wayland coach Alesha Robertson-Ellis said. "We did a lot of things tonight that we can build on."
 
Junior Shawna Monreal dumped in 19 points while two newcomers – senior Krystal Forthan and junior Jade Jones – turned in double-doubles. Forthan finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Jones had a dozen points and 10 boards. Freshman Maci Merket wound up with 15 points, and senior Brianna Bogard tacked on 11.
 
All 11 players scored, and except for returning starter Stephanie Afunugo who has been nursing an injured ankle and was on the court only a short time, all played at least 11 minutes.
 
"We have a lot of depth this year," Robertson-Ellis said. "Those girls on the bench are just as important as the starters, and we expect just as much out of them."
 
Wayland was never challenged by USW (1-2), leading 17-8 after the first period and 40-22 at halftime.
 
"I felt like we came out a little slow," Robertson-Ellis said. "We just need to get more time together."
 
By the end of the third period, the Flying Queens were up by 34, 67-33. The margin went as high as 36 late in the game.
 
WBU dominated the boards, 51-28, and shot 84 percent (16-of-19) from the free-throw line while hitting 50 percent from the field (34-of-68), including 6-of-12 from 3-point range. Both Forthan and Merket were 7-of-9 from the field.
 
"We did a much better job rebounding tonight than we did against West Texas A&M," Robertson-Ellis said in reference to last week's exhibition game in Canyon against the Lady Buffs, ranked No. 9 in NCAA Division II.
 
Although she was unhappy with a few missed layups, Robertson said overall the Queens shot the ball well, especially at the foul stripe.
 
"That was good to see," she said.
 
USW was led by Anitria Flowers with 19 points and An'Jolique Woodson with nine. No other Lady Mustang scored more than five.
 
The Flying Queens are next in action at 7 p.m. Saturday in an exhibition game at Abilene Christian, before returning to the Hutch on Monday to take on McMurry at 6 p.m.
 
Robertson-Ellis said those will be key games to further prepare her team for a key stretch of contests, starting with two games in Montana against No. 6 Montana St.-Northern and No. 11 Great Falls University, followed by No. 7 Our Lady of the Lake in Plainview on Nov. 28. After that, Sooner Athletic Conference play begins.
 
"Our next two games will be good ones to help us get ready to go to Montana," Robertson-Ellis said. "We'll have our hands full."
 
Robertson-Ellis said the Flying Queens must learn to play as one.
 
"I feel like we have the talent, we just have to come together," she said. "I have to do a better job getting them to play together."
 
The Pioneers host University of the Southwest the same evening the Queens take on McMurry, which is being billed as FISH Night. Admission will be by donation of canned food item or cash to be donated to Faith In Sharing House.