DALLAS (Interstat) — The Southern Methodist University Mustangs opened their 2025-26 women’s basketball season with a commanding 96-70 victory over the Grambling State Lady Tigers on Tuesday afternoon at Moody Coliseum.

In a game where they were heavy statistical favorites, the Mustangs lived up to their billing, using a potent offensive attack and stifling defense to secure a wire-to-wire win before a crowd of 2,594.

From the opening tip, SMU established control, outscoring Grambling 20-9 in the first quarter. The Mustangs’ offensive rhythm continued unabated in the second period, where they added another 26 points. While the Lady Tigers found a bit more footing with 13 points in the quarter, they could not slow the SMU assault, entering the halftime break facing a 46-22 deficit.

The third quarter saw Grambling’s offense begin to awaken, posting its most productive period to that point with 19 points. However, any hope of a significant rally was stymied by SMU’s consistent scoring, as the Mustangs answered with 22 points of their own to maintain a commanding lead.

A late surge by the Lady Tigers provided a glimpse of their potential, as they exploded for 29 points in the final quarter, by far their highest-scoring period of the contest. But the Mustangs matched that intensity nearly point-for-point, closing out the game with 28 points in the fourth to seal the 26-point victory.

The win was a collective effort for SMU, with contributions coming from up and down the roster. Ayanna Thompson led a balanced scoring attack for the Mustangs, demonstrating the depth that made them a preseason favorite according to analytical models. She was complemented by strong performances from Paulina Paris and Zahra King, who each provided significant offensive firepower.

The Mustangs’ defensive pressure was equally impactful, particularly in the first half, where they held Grambling to just 22 points. This defensive intensity set the tone for the game and allowed SMU to build an insurmountable lead. Key defensive stops and forced turnovers were converted into easy transition baskets, fueling their offensive runs.

For Grambling, the lone bright spot in the contest was the performance of Claire Simmons. The Louisville, Kentucky, native fought tirelessly for the Lady Tigers, leading her team’s scoring efforts and showing flashes of the talent that will be crucial for Grambling as it navigates a challenging non-conference schedule.

The loss drops Grambling to 0-1 to start the season, while SMU begins its campaign at 1-0. The game’s outcome aligned with the pregame projections from Interstat’s ELO system, which gave the Mustangs a 79.4 percent probability of victory.

Grambling will look to rebound quickly from this season-opening defeat when it travels to face North Texas this Friday, November 7. That game is the start of a difficult road stretch for the Lady Tigers, which includes upcoming contests against power-conference opponents Arizona and Baylor later this month.

The Mustangs, meanwhile, will face an immediate step up in competition as they prepare to host Kansas State this Saturday, November 8. That matchup begins a demanding slate for SMU, which features games against Texas Tech, Arkansas, and Syracuse in the coming weeks, testing the team’s early-season form against high-major opponents.

Both teams will use this opening game as a foundational experience. For SMU, it was a successful execution of its game plan and a chance to build chemistry with its entire roster. For Grambling, despite the lopsided score, the strong fourth-quarter offensive output provides a positive building block as the team looks ahead to its next ten games, a mix of regional rivalries and formidable road tests. The season is long, and the lessons from opening afternoon in Abilene will undoubtedly be reviewed by both coaching staffs as they prepare for the challenges ahead.