SMU Falls At Rutgers

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. (SMU) – Kiara Perry recorded her first double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Akil Simpson added the 22nd of her career with 10 points and 11 rebounds, but Rutgers spoiled the homecoming of SMU head coach Rhonda Rompola with a 64-54 win in New Jersey.

Keena Mays led SMU with 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but the Mustangs fell victim to the full-court pressure by the Scarlet Knights late, falling to 11-5 on the season and 2-3 in the American Athletic Conference. With the win, Rutgers stretched its win streak to eight games, improving to 13-2 overall and 4-0 in The American.

SMU kept the game close most of the way, trailing by just two at halftime, 29-27. Mallory Singleton, who finished with seven points, made a 3-pointer with 13:26 left in the game to give SMU a 37-36 lead. The Scarlet Knights then went on a 10-2 run to take a 46-39 lead with 7:01 left in the game. SMU got to within five points four times in the last six minutes, but Rutgers hit six free throws in the last 1:11 to hold on for the win.

The Mustangs held Rutgers to 37.7 percent from the field and no 3-pointers, but shot just 28.8 percent as a team, hitting 4-of-23 attempts from behind the arc. Rutgers won the rebounding battle 50-46, and had 21 second-chance points to SMU’s 11.

Rutgers received 32 votes in the latest Associated Press poll, ranking 29th in the country.

SMU’s road trip will continue with an 11 a.m. contest at Temple on Tuesday. The meeting will mark the first-ever matchup between the two programs.