For SUU women's basketball, the season began with more than a win: a record rebounding performance gave Cedar City fans plenty to cheer about Monday night.

The Thunderbirds collected 75 rebounds in an 87-31 victory over Redlands women's basketball at the America First Event Center, surpassing the program's previous mark of 74 set in 2013.

That total tells much of the story, but Southern Utah also set the tone early, scoring the first 12 points while keeping the Bulldogs off the board.

Redlands managed four points in the opening quarter, and SUU carried a 38-17 advantage into halftime.

For an opening night, the margin was striking.

Ava Uhrich started the scoring with a jumper, while Melicia Nelson, Denver Anderson and Kortney Doman helped establish an inside attack.

Diana Sorrondo added a burst of offense late in the first half as the Thunderbirds widened the gap.

Rather than coast after the break, Southern Utah opened the second half with 10 unanswered points and kept pressure on Redlands at both ends.

Anderson and Uhrich fueled that stretch, and Sorrondo answered a brief Bulldogs push with another six points.

The rebounding record was not just a number in the box score.

Extra possessions produced 18 second-chance points, giving SUU repeated opportunities to turn missed shots into a bigger lead.

Brooklyn Fely scored 14 points, including eight in the final quarter, while Charli Kay made the Thunderbirds' lone three-pointer.

Southern Utah closed on a 12-0 run, with Emily Scholtes adding the final two points at the free-throw line.

For Cedar City supporters, the SUU basketball season opener offered an encouraging glimpse of a team willing to work for every possession.

One lopsided result cannot define a season, especially with tougher tests ahead, but the effort on the glass gives the Thunderbirds a foundation to build on.

SUU begins the season 1-0 and next travels to face New Mexico State on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Pan American Center.