SMU Women Knock Off Kansas State

{fshare id=4573}

FREEPORT, Bahamas (SMU) – The Mustangs knocked off Kansas State 68-57 in the first round of the Junkanoo Jam Bahamas tournament Thursday, improving to 7-0 and matching the 1993-94 team for the best start in program history. SMU, receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll, advances to play No. 4 Tennessee tomorrow at 7 p.m. CT. The Lady Vols are ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25.

Keena Mays led the Mustangs with 15 points, reaching double figures in every game this season, and Destynee Hives-McCray posted her second double-double of the year with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Gabrielle Wilkins scored nine points in the second half to finish with 11, and went 4-for-4 at the free throw line down the stretch to help SMU keep the double-digit lead.

Kansas State (2-3) scored six of the first eight points in the second half, cutting the lead to five, but the Mustangs scored the next 11 unanswered to take a 16-point lead, 52-36. Four different Mustangs scored during the stretch, including Korina Baker, who finished with nine points and a season-high seven assists. SMU stretched the lead to as many at 17 points, and the Wildcats didn’t get within 10 points the rest of the game.

SMU shot 33.3 percent from the field, just the second time the Mustangs have been held under 40 percent, but went 21-for-27 at the free throw line. Kansas State shot 34.8 percent, but SMU won both the rebound battle, 45-43, and the turnover battle, 16-22. Freshman Kiara Perry finished with seven points and seven rebounds in the win, and eight players scored, marking the seventh straight game at least seven of the

nine dressed player have scored.

The Mustangs out-scored the Wildcats 15-5 over the last six minutes of the first half to take a 38-30 lead into the lockerroom. Trailing 25-23, Wilkins drained a pair of free throws to tie the game and spark the run. Mays had eight points during the stretch, sinking two long 3-pointers and putting another halfway down, but Baker grabbed the offensive rebound, leading to two free throws by Mays.

SMU matched Kansas State in the paint with 14 points in the first 20 minutes, and each team had 12 field goals and three made 3-pointers in the first half. The Mustangs turned 11 turnovers by the Wildcats into 11 points, while holding Kansas State to just two points on off turnovers.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares