SMU Women Fall To Indiana State
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QUEENS, N.Y. (SMU) – The SMU women’s basketball team could not overcome a slow start and fell to Indiana State, 64-55, in the first round of the St. John’s Holiday Classic on Saturday afternoon at the Carnesecca Arena.
Indiana State (9-1) jumped out to an early lead as SMU (4-6) struggled offensively in the first half. The Sycamores led 26-4 with 7:56 remaining in the opening half and would carry a 37-17 lead into halftime.
The Mustangs, however, dominated the second half, outscoring Indiana State 38-27 after the break. Junior guard Gabrielle Wilkins gave SMU quality minutes off the bench, posting a team-high 13 points and adding seven rebounds.
Freshman forward Alicia Froling and sophomore guard Morgan Bolton also scored in double figures, chipping in with 10 points apiece.
Stephanie Collins, a freshman forward from Melbourne, Australia, made her season debut for SMU. Collins played 10 minutes off the bench, scoring three points and grabbing two boards.
Late in the game, the Mustangs finally pulled within single digits. Kiara
Perry’s jumper with 3:41 remaining made it a one-possession game at 50-47, but Indiana State made a few tough shots down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
Despite the hot start, Indiana State shot just 33.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. The Mustangs have now held their opponents under 40 percent shooting in all but one game this season. Arizona State is the only team to shoot above 40 percent against SMU.
Indiana State’s Chelsea Small led all scorers with 20 points. She was the only Sycamore in double figures.
The Mustangs return to the court Sunday, as they take on the Auburn Tigers at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT in the consolation match of the St. John’s Holiday Classic.
