In the first game of the 2025-2026 season, the Wildcats reached the century mark over Howard Payne University, winning 103-33.

This is the highest season opener for the team since the 2019-20 season, and only the third in the Div. I era to score 100 or more points. 

The Wildcats are no strangers to having high offensive outputs over Howard Payne, scoring 108 against the Lady Jackets last season. 

Head Coach Julie Goodenough said playing in front of a home crowd is always a point of emphasis for her team, and said she is grateful they were able to get a win. 

“I think it’s important to play in front of our crowd,” she said. “They get so excited about the season, and we want them to see the very first game. It feels really good to get our first win.”

Payton Hull, junior guard from Peaster, was the top scorer for the Wildcats with 16 points, although the game was a balanced scoring effort from several players. 

Six Wildcats scored in double digits, including Erin Woodson, junior guard from Richmond, Virginia, who also tacked on five assists and five steals. She said the balanced team effort was a direct result of offseason preparation. 

“We followed the plan,” Woodson said. “Good ball pressure on offense, running through our sets, just making sure that we are following how we have planned the whole preseason.”

Another double-digit scorer for the Wildcats was Molly Daugherty, freshman guard from Summerville, South Carolina, who had 12 points on 4-6 shooting from three-point range. 

Woodson said Daugherty and the other three freshmen have done a great job of blending with the team and have picked up the faster pace of college basketball quickly. 

“They’re challenging us in practice every day and really have come in and done a great job,” she said. “Seeing that show on the court today was really nice.”

The team will return to action Friday night when it plays the University of Incarnate Word at home at 6 p.m.