WASHINGTON - GW women's basketball showcased a balanced attack with its typical stingy defense on Sunday afternoon at the Smith Center, trouncing Division II Mercyhurst, 75-37, in a preseason exhibition.

Four Colonials reached double figures on the afternoon, led by sophomore Kayla Mokwuah's 14 points and seven rebounds. Junior Sydney Zambrotta, in her unofficial Buff & Blue debut, dropped in 13 points with five rebounds and three assists. First-year Essence Brown and sophomore Lexus Levy contributed 10 points apiece to give GW four in double figures.

Nine of the 10 Colonials who saw action scored as GW never trailed. GW shot 45.5 percent from the floor, overcoming a slow start to shoot over 40 percent in each of the final three quarters.

Mercyhurst was led by Amber Renz' 13 points as the Lakers shot just 27 percent from the floor. The Colonials' defense limited the Lakers to nine points or fewer in three of the four frames and forced 20 turnovers that led to 24 points.

A 3-pointer from first-year Faith Blethen broke the only deadlock of the game, 6-6, halfway through the first quarter and spurred an 18-3 run over the next seven minutes to blow the game open. Levy provided all 10 of her points in the second quarter as GW led by 16 at the break, 40-24.

The Buff & Blue focused on going inside after halftime with 28 of the team's 35 points after intermission coming in the paint. The final 38-point margin also represented GW's largest lead of the ballgame as the Buff and Blue finished strong. 

GW will now get set for its season opener in 10 days when it travels to take on Villanova on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The home opener is set for Sunday, Nov. 10 when the Colonials take on defending Ivy League champion Princeton at the Smith Center.