LA VERNE, Calif. — The University of La Verne women's basketball team unofficially tipped off its season with a resounding 72-51 victory over NAIA CSU San Marcos at Frantz Court on Saturday.

How it happened: Both teams needed a few minutes to shake off their offseason rust. The teams missed a combined six shots in the first two and a half minutes until Gaby Moura-Hayes put the Leopards on the board with a short jumper at the 17:33 mark.

The Leopards and the Cougars then went on to trade baskets through about the midway point of the first half, exchanging leads eight times.

But after Alex Alvarado converted a pair of free throws to give the Cougars a 17-14 lead, La Verne unleashed a 15-0 run to pull away and never looked back. Moura-Hayes started the run with a jumper, Emily Myers had five points and Shannon Irwin had four during the stretch.

CSU San Marcos did stay within striking distance going into the break thanks to Alvarado's nine first-half points but La Verne started the second half on a 7-0 run to erase any doubts.

La Verne led by as many as 24 points late in the second half and held the Cougars to just .233 shooting from the field.

Players of the game: Irwin was nearly flawless. The junior guard finished with 25 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals and did not turn the ball over once. Irwin also went 8 of 14 from the field including 2 of 4 from the three and sank seven of nine free throws.

Emily Myers played pitched in 11 points, four rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes off the bench.

Moura-Hayes also reached double figures with 10 points while hauling in five rebounds.

Stat of the game: La Verne limited CSU San Marcos to just 29 percent shooting and a paltry 6.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Up next: La Verne will get a 14-day break before officially opening the season on Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. against Linfield in George Fox Classic.