SHAWNEE – The Lady Bison opened their 2018-19 campaign with a 73-63 victory over Missouri Southern State in the GAC-MIAA Challenge at the Noble Complex Friday night.

Autumn Avina led all scorers with 25, and Katy Custer chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds in her return from injury as OBU closed the game strong, going 8-9 from the free throw line in the second half.

Transfer Victoria Blankenship provided a strong presence in the post, pouring in nine points, many of them contested shots in the paint. She also added seven rebounds.

Despite shooting 33 percent from long range, the Lady Bison atta...