The University of Louisiana at Lafayette captured the opening game of the Women’s Basketball Invitational with a 69-54 victory over Northwestern State University.

The top-seeded Ragin’ Cajuns led 28-8 after the first quarter and 38-24 at halftime. Louisiana outscored eight-seeded Northwestern 25-13 in the third quarter to build a 63-37 lead through three before going on to the victory.

Gabby Alexander played just three minutes, but made the most of her time on the court. The 2013 Bogalusa High School graduate scored two points, grabbed a rebound, blocked a shot and made a steal.

This season, Alexander has played in 26 games and averages 1.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. She’s hit eight of her 11 free-throw attempts for a 72.7 percentage. She’s also been successful on 42.1 percent of her field-goal attempts.

The Ragin’ Cajuns are 22-10 and play again tonight at the Earl K. Long Gymnasium at 7 p.m. against fourth-seeded Stetson.