NAMPA, Idaho – There are big expectations for the Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team this season.

And they more than lived up to them in their 88-59 opening-night win against Stanislaus State at the GNAC/CCAA Crossover at Johnson Sports Center.

"I think all of us were a little bit nervous," NNU senior McKenna Walker said. "Obviously, there is more pressure this year. That first game, getting the W out of the way is a big relief for us and now we can play more comfortable."

A season ago the Nighthawks (1-0 overall) flew under the radar a bit while winning their first conference title since 2000.

This season, NNU is picked to win the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, are ranked No. 1 in the West in the preseason D2SIDA poll, No. 16 in the nation in the D2SIDA poll and No. 24 in the WBCA national rankings.

"I think it was just really important for us to not be comfortable with first," NNU junior Avery Albrecht said. "We need to act is if we are in last place and have to fight for our spot, because nothing is guaranteed with being ranked. It is actual wins that will get us where we want to be."

The play of Albrecht and Walker on Friday will go a long way toward getting those wins.

Albrecht finished with a game-high 18 points, grabbed six rebounds, had five steals and four assists. Walker had 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

"That is a heck of a game between those two," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "I think I'm most happy we had 21 assists on 26 made field goals. We want to share the ball."

The Nighthawks opened the game on a 15-4 run, stretching the lead to 26-13 at the end of the first quarter. They never let up from there, rolling the outmatched Warriors (0-1).

"I thought our transition offense was really good," Steele said. "Our defensive transition needs a lot of work, but it's still early and we can still improve. But of course it is nice to start with a win."

Danielle Jardine added 13 points and seven rebounds, Marina Valles had eight points and eight assists, Ellie Logan and Maya Rodgers had seven points each and Carly Parker and Erin Jenkins each had six.

For Logan and Rodgers, it was their first action in more than a year. Logan missed all of last season with a torn ACL and Rodgers played just six games last season before tearing her ACL.

"It is great to look at the stat line and see everyone contributing in all areas of the game," Walker said. "From steals to offensive rebounds, people contributed everywhere so that was huge."

The Nighthawks are back in action at 5 p.m. Saturday against Cal State Monterey Bay. The Otters lost 70-54 to Central Washington in the opener of the crossover.