OXFORD – The Ole Miss women’s basketball team opened its regular season Friday afternoon at Tad Smith Coliseum with an 80-42 win over Southeastern Louisiana.

Kayla Melson had the third triple-double in Ole Miss history, with 11 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists.

The Rebels held the Lions to 26.8 percent shooting from the floor, just 3-for-21 (14.3 percent) from 3-point range.

That was a point of emphasis for Ole Miss coach Renee Ladner since Southeastern knocked down 16 3-pointers against the Rebels last year.

“We have been working extremely hard on defense, and we were able to take the scouting report and follow it. Our players did a good job with what they were asked to do,” Ladner said.

Bianca Thomas led three Ole Miss players in double figures with 22 points. The All-SEC guard was 8-for-13 from the floor, 4-for-7 from 3-point range.

The Rebels are back in action Tuesday at Sam Houston State.

Lady Bulldogs roll

- STARKVILLE – All 12 Lady Bulldogs got in the scoring column in a 106-48 season-opening thrashing of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Tysheka Grimes led the way with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Alexis Rack and Armelie Lumanu had 16 points each.

Mary Kathryn Govero had 12 points and 13 boards, and Chanel Mokango had 11 and 11.

MSU led 50-24 at halftime.