Columbia, MO - The Stephens College women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 season with a commanding 99-45 victory over Kansas Christian College on Wednesday evening inside Silverthorne Arena. The Stars controlled the game from the opening minutes, using a balanced offensive performance and strong defensive pressure to secure their first win of the season.
Stephens established an early advantage behind senior Simone Clay, who scored 13 of her game-high 21 points in the opening quarter. Clay connected on three shots from beyond the arc in the first period, helping the Stars build a 24-15 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
The Stars continued to extend their advantage in the second quarter, outscoring Kansas Christian 24-12 to take a 48-27 lead into halftime. Stephens maintained its offensive production while forcing turnovers and creating scoring opportunities in transition.
Coming out of the break, Stephens delivered its strongest defensive quarter of the evening, limiting Kansas Christian to just eight points on 16.7 percent shooting. The Stars added 26 points of their own in the third quarter, extending their lead to 74-35 heading into the final period. Stephens closed out the contest with another 25-point quarter to secure the 54-point victory.
Clay led the Stars offensively with 21 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the field and connecting on five three-pointers. Senior Quimari Shelton followed with 12 points and seven rebounds, while senior Princess Ibeh recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, including nine offensive boards.
Shemera Williams, Effie Morris and Ola Wilk each contributed 10 points, giving Stephens six players in double figures. Williams also recorded five assists and three steals, while Morris led the team defensively with five steals. Freshman Ava Schlotzhauer added nine points, seven rebounds and four steals in her collegiate debut.
As a team, Stephens shot 47.5 percent from the field, connecting on 38 of its 80 attempts, including 11 three-pointers. The Stars dominated the paint with 52 points and held a 52-36 rebounding advantage. Defensively, Stephens forced 31 Kansas Christian turnovers, converting them into 40 points while recording 18 steals.
The victory moves Stephens to 1-0 on the season as the Stars begin their 2026-27 campaign with a win on their home court.
