The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles opened the 2016-17 basketball season in impressive fashion by cruising past Stillman College, 78-47. 

The Lady Eagles led 41-25 at the end of the first half and never looked back in disposing of the visiting Lady Tigers. MCC will return to action on Thursday night with its first early test of the season at East Mississippi Community College. 

The Lady Eagles will take to the floor at 5:30 p.m. against the Lady Lions, while the MCC men will play its first regular season game against EMCC at 7:30.

MCC had three players score in double figures. Sophomore Trieshia Jackson led the way in scoring for the Lady Eagles with 12 points, while freshman Shannon Tate had a solid night in scoring 10 points off the bench for the green and white. Freshman Mary Maxwell also had a great opening game of her MCC career by scoring 11 points. 

Former Meridian High star Kashari Gordon also chipped in with nine points, and Jatiah Lathan finished the night with eight points. Sophomore Rashonae Rice ended the game with eight points, and Jocelyn Peters had six points on a pair of 3-point buckets for the Lady Eagles.