SMU Women Defeat Grambling State In Opener

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GARLAND, Texas (SMU) – Keena Mays scored 22 and four Mustangs scored in double digits as SMU defeated Grambling State 87 to 65 in its 2013-14 season-opening match at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, on Sunday afternoon.

Grambling State (0-2) got off to a quick start, taking a 19-13 lead after a Tyler Anderson sunk a jumper at the 11:42 mark of the first half. SMU (1-0) responded by going on an 11-0 run, including a three-pointer from Mays, to take a 24-19 lead less than five minutes later.

A layup from Mays gave SMU a 33-23 lead with 4:33 left in the first half, and the Tigers would get no closer than 10 points the rest of the game.

Mays also added eight rebounds, five assists and four steals in 24 minutes. Destynee Hives-McCray recorded 16 points with 10 boards and two blocks for her eighth-career double-double. Akil Simpson added 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and collected nine rebounds while Gabrielle Wilkins also recorded 15 points. SMU shot 47.2 percent in the second half and 42.9 percent for the game after missing six of its first seven shots of the contest.

SMU won the rebounding battle, recording 52 total rebounds, the team’s highest total since collecting 58 against UAB last season on Feb. 2. The Mustangs also cashed in on the offensive glass, pulling

down 20 offensive rebounds, including four each from Simpson and Hives-McCray. SMU also forced the Tigers to give up 25 turnovers.

SMU has now won 11 of its last 15 season openers, including each of the last three.

The Mustangs will host TCU in a rivalry showdown on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. The Mustangs are 41-16 all-time against the Horned Frogs, but fell 76-70 in Fort Worth last season.

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