SMU Women Lose At Temple

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PHILADELPHIA (SMU) – Four Mustangs scored in double figures, led by 23 from Keena Mays, but SMU could not overcome a second half run by Temple as the Owls won 80-66 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday.

SMU fell to 11-6 (2-4 The American) in the loss while Temple improved to 9-7 (3-3). Mays and Akil Simpson (10 points) scored in double-digits for the 16th time in 17 games this season. Kiara Perry scored 12, putting her in double-digits for the third straight game. As a team, SMU shot a season-high 50 percent (25-of-50) from the field.

After the game was tied at 48-48 early in the second half, Temple pulled away with an 18-4 run from the 13:40 mark to 5:05 to take a 66-54 lead. Temple also had four players in double figures, including two off the bench. Rateska Brown hit four three pointers off the bench for the Owls, totaling 15 points for the game. Feyonda Fitzgerald and Tyonna Williams led the Owls with 16 points each.

SMU jumped out to a 13-4 lead at the 15:44 mark of the first half, making each of its first six shots from the field. After the Owls called a timeout, they stormed back to tie the game at 15-15 with an 11-2 run. Temple took a four-point lead at 21-17, extending its run to 17-4 at the 10:06 mark. SMU then answered with a 7-0 run to swing the

lead back toward the Mustangs at 24-21 with 6:04 left in the half. SMU made 60 percent of its field goals in the first half and outrebounded Temple by five, but eight Mustangs turnovers led to 10 points for the Owls to make for an even half.

Simpson led the Mustangs with nine rebounds, while Raven Short added a season-high 11 points in her sixth straight start. Mays’ 23 points marks her eighth game with 20 or more points. Korina Baker also scored eight points for the Mustangs, going 3-for-5 from the field.

SMU will hit the hardwood next as it hosts No. 7 Louisville in the newly-renovated Moody Coliseum on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are available at www.smutickets.com.