SEGUIN, Texas - The Southwestern women's basketball team kicked off the 2011-12 season in style, with a 74-52 win over Texas Lutheran University on Tuesday evening.

TLU struck first, scoring on the first possession of the game, but the Pirates took over and went on a 20-4 run through the first eight minutes to lead 20-6 early. SU built upon the foundation to lead by as many as 20 points in the first half, taking a  17 point lead into the break 36-19.

Sophomore Chelsea Leeder opened the second half with a three and a pair of jumpers by first-year Jordan Owens put SU up by 22, 43-21, just three minutes into the second frame. The Pirates were able to maintain control of the game and kept Texas Lutheran from threatening the rest of the way to post their first win of the season.

Southwestern was hot from the floor, shooting 52.3% from the field and 35.5% from long range while holding the Bulldogs to just 39% from the floor and 30% from three point. TLU was able to force the Pirates into 27 turnovers, but SU made up the difference on the boards with a +27 rebounding margin.

Leeder led all scorers with 28 points going 11-18 from the floor and 6-11 from three point range while Owens added in 26 in her debut. Annie Bourne came off the bench to lead all rebounders with 12 boards.

The win starts Southwestern off with a 1-0 record as they head to ASC-opponent Schreiner on Saturday at 1:00 pm.