SMU Women Unable To Pull Off Upset At UTEP

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EL PASO, Texas (SMU) – The Mustangs fell 68-50 to UTEP Thursday night as the Miners remained undefeated in Conference USA and claimed the regular season title with the win. UTEP improved to 25-2 overall and 14-0 in conference, while SMU fell to 12-15 and 5-9 in C-USA.

Raven Short and Samantha Mahnesmith led the Mustangs with nine points each, and Akil Simpson scored eight points with a team-high nine rebounds. The Mustangs held UTEP’s leading scorer Gloria Brown to just six points, but Erika Warren led the team with 13 and Anete Steinberga added 12 to lead the Miners to the win.

UTEP jumped out to a 10-point lead over the first 10 minutes of the first half, and SMU wasn’t able keep the pace offensively. The Miners shot 40.0-percent in the first half to take a 36-21 lead at halftime. SMU scored 29 points in the second half, but couldn’t close the gap as UTEP scored 32 points in the final 20 minutues, finishing with a 41.4 shooting percentage for the game. SMU was perfect from the free throw line, making all eight attempts.

The Mustangs return to Moody Coliseum on Sunday as they host Tulane in the home finale at 2 p.m. The seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony. For tickets or more information, visit www.smumustangs.com.