In its first action of the 2009-2010 season the Marquette women’s basketball team was victorious over University of Wisconsin-Stout 118-71 Saturday at the Al McGuire Center.

Junior Angel Robinson said there was no way the team was going to drop a game on its home court.

“This was our first game and even though it was an exhibition we were looking towards it like a real game and we weren’t going to lose on our home court,” Robinson said. “We prepared for this game just like it was any other game.”

The women put seven players into double digit scoring including freshman forward Sarina Simmons and Robinson.

Robinson, a unanimous preseason All Big East selection, posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists in 23 minutes of action.

Simmons, in her first ever collegiate game led the team in points with 18. She said going into her first collegiate game she didn’t want to expect too much out of herself.

“I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself. It is my first game: I’m new and inexperienced,” Simmons said. “I just looked to my teammates to push me in the right direction.”

Head coach Terri Mitchell was pleased with the way Simmons came out given the potential pressures of a freshman in her first game.

“I thought Sarina didn’t look nervous. I think you always wonder how a freshman is going to come out,” Mitchell said. “It’s one game at a time, but the biggest thing about Sarina is that she enjoys being out there. She’s someone that loves to play and when you have that mentality you’re comfortable no matter what you’re doing.”

Mitchell said Simmons has the offensive capabilities to be a productive offensive player this year but it’ll vary each day as to how well she actually performs.

“Sarina’s an explosive offensive player. Once she gets the defense under control and gets in better shape then we can look for her to do a lot of great things for us this year,” Mitchell said.

Robinson said the victory was great, but that the team still has work on its defense moving forward.

“We didn’t look that sharp today but that’s what this game was for, so we could point out our flaws and work on them in the next practice,” Robinson said.