M'lani Vitela opened her TCJ career with a 27-point performance, and two teammates approached 20 as TCJ Eagles Women's Basketball won the 2025-26 season opener in high-scoring fashion. The Eagles defeated Southwestern Adventist University 82-54, trailing only once very early. The game is part of a two-day women's/men's showcase of NCCAA Division 2 teams hosted by Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida. 

Vitela was 11 for 18 from the field overall, 3 for 4 from three-point range, and 2 for 2 at the line to compile her team-high total, which was 2nd overall in the game. She also assisted 7 more Eagle scores.

[Sophomore M'lani Vitela scored 27 points in her TCJ Eagles debut.]

In addidtion, Vitela played solid defense, stealing 8 possessions. She totaled 7 rebounds (all defensive) and played all 40 minutes.

Caroline Smith totaled 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting and a pair of free throws. She stole 4 balls, blocked 1 shot, and pulled in 5 rebounds in her 22 minutes of work.

Alexandra Perez opened her college career with 16 points by sinking 7 of 8 shots and 2 of 3 free throws. She added 7 defensive rebounds and a steal to boot.

[Freshman Alexandra Perez scored 16 points in her first college game.]

Perez did all this in 17 minutes on the court.

The Eagles trailed only after the first basket of the game. Vitela's layup tied the score, and Laila Harvey put the Eagles ahead to stay with a layup of her own only 1:33 into the game. Vitela scored 5 more points in the quarter then had point totals of 10, 2, and 8 in Quarters 2, 3, and 4. The Eagles outscored SWAU in each of the four periods. 

The Eagles shot 50% overall from the field, including 65% (11 for 17) in the second quarter, converted 13 of 16 foul shots (81%), and totaled 3 three-pointers. 

Emma Parrish scored 9 points, Victoria Broadway totalled 8, and Harvey and Jaedin Houston each contributed 2. Broadway hit 4 of 5 foul shots, and Parrish sank 3 of 4.

SWAU's Desiree Fields led the courth with 31 points stemming from a 12-for-18 performance from the field and a 7-for-11 afternoon at the line. TCJ made sure that no teammate hit double digits as the Trinity defense held SWAU to 33% shooting on the day. 

The Eagles will play their second game on Saturday when they tip off against Champion Christian College at 2:00 p.m. EDT. An exhibition game follows at NAIA Keiser University on November 5, and the first home game begins at 6:00 p.m. against NAIA Florida National University on Thursday, November 6.