CHICAGO, Ill. — Jenny Long (Westmont, Ill.) scored a game-high 18 points as the Saint Mary's University women's basketball team opened its season with a thrilling 46-45 victory over UW-Whitewater in the opening round of the U. of Chicago Tournament Friday evening.

The Cardinals raced out to a commanding 27-18 first-half advantage, but then had to hold on down the stretch to post the season-opening victory.

"We played great," said SMU coach Kim Fierke. "Everyone did the things that they needed to do.