Richard Batman Skyline point guard Marie Colon drives against a Cabrillo defender during the Trojans’ 72-44 win. Colon scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting as the Skyline women played their first basketball game in 26 years.

The Trojans opened play in their renovated gymnasium with a 72-44 laugher. Things will get decidedly tougher starting Friday when Skyline plays in the Cosumnes River Tournament.

The Skyline women’s program, resurrected after a 26-year absence, rolled from the start in cruising to the victory, capping a day in which there was a ribbon cutting ceremony 45 minutes before tip-off.

Given that this was the season opener for both teams, one would expect some sloppy play. However, nothing could prepare anyone in attendance for how poorly Cabrillo played. The Seahawks committed 50 turnovers — yes, 50 — which might go down as a record for futility at the junior college level.

The Trojans weren’t immune to the turnover bug either, committing 27. But they never trailed in this one, going on a 31-9 run to end the first half after Cabrillo tied things at 12 with 14:43 left until halftime. Skyline, which doesn’t have a player within a zip code of 6 feet, relied on its superior quickness to repeatedly get in the lane off dribble penetration against the slower, taller Seahawks. Point guard Marie Colon displayed poise and great awareness, finishing with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

Her layup off a Esmeralda Lopez-Rivas drive put Skyline up 30-17 with 6:05 in the first half, and the Trojans would stretch their lead to as many as 34 points. With Salote Tafuna (nine points, nine rebounds, five offensive) providing energy with her relentless work on the glass, and Lyanna Pillazar (seven points), Shunise Criswell (nine points) and Lopez-Rivas proving quickness in the backcourt, Skyline was never seriously threatened in a game that featured 81 turnovers and 46 fouls.

The Trojans shot 30 of 74 from the floor, including a sizzling 18 of 36 in the first half. Cabrillo was the perfect team for Skyline to begin it second era of women hoops. The Seahawks didn’t have a single reliable ballhandler on the floor, resulting in poor decisions play after play. Skyline ran the floor with precision, resulting in a number of fast-break chances. The Trojans held their own on the glass, finishing with 15 offensive rebounds to Cabrillo’s 10.

Lindhe was encouraged with her team’s performance.

“We talked about effort and hustle and using our quickness to our advantage,” Lindhe said. “The girls were really excited to get out there and play, and I thought their effort was fabulous. We obviously have to work on our team defense, but this is a confidence builder going into a tough tournament this weekend.”

And a great start.

Emanuel Lee can be reached by e-mail: emanuel@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.