ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Marymount University women's basketball team kicked off the 2021-22 campaign in fine fashion on Monday evening with a 67-47 victory over Kean University inside Converse Family Fieldhouse. 

While tonight's victory jumpstarted MU's season, it also marked the first win for the Saints under Head Coach Margaret White.

MU dominated in all facets of the game against the Cougars to earn a 20-point victory. The Blue and White shot a stellar 54.2% (26-for-48) from the floor and 50% (6-for-12) from beyond the 3-point arc.

On the defensive end of the court, Marymount showcased an energized and gritty approach which held the Cougars to a paltry field goal percentage of 34.0%. Marymount's defensive approach helped fuel the offense, as the Saints turned 10 steals into 22 points. 

Marymount's two-way efforts resulted in a 33-20 edge at the end of the first half. While MU held the lead for the majority of the first half, Kean cut the lead to six with 2:33 on the clock at 26-20. The Blue and White responded with a 7-0 run that featured buckets from Symantha Shackelford, Terra Dzambo, and Katie McShea, which resulted in the Saints' 13-point advantage.

MU kept the offense flowing in the third quarter, as the Saints outscored Kean, 20-15, during the frame. McShea did most of the heavy lifting during the period with 13 points. Claire Smith added four points, while Chandler Eddleton chipped in three during Marymount's barrage. It was smooth sailing from there, as a 14-point fourth-quarter sealed the win.

McShea led the way for the Saints with a 23-point, 12-rebound, double-double. The senior was extremely efficient from the floor with a 91.7% field goal percentage. Shackelford and Dzambo rounded out MU's double-digit scorers with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Dzambo tallied a team-high three steals, while Smith tallied two blocks.

The Blue and White return to the court on Saturday, November 13, on the road at Stevenson University. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.