Simpson’s Career-High 25 Points Not Enough For Mustangs At Tulane

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NEW ORLEANS, La. (SMU) – Akil Simpson scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season, but Tulane had five players in double-figures and hit 12 free throws in the last two minutes to take a 75-63 victory in Fogelman Arena. SMU fell to 12-10 overall and 5-4 in Conference USA, while Tulane improved to 17-5 overall and claimed sole possession of fourth in the conference at 6-3 in league play.

Simpson was 8-of-13 from the field and went 9-of-10 from the free throw line, and Alisha Filmore scored 15 points. Brittney Hardy scored nine points, going 4-for-8 from the field, and grabbed seven rebounds in her debut at SMU.

Brett Benzio led the charge for the Green Wave, scoring 22 points with seven rebounds. Olivia Grayson made all 10 of her free throws to finish with 16 points.

The Mustangs got 13 points from Simpson in the first half, and Hardy added seven in just 10 of the first 20 minutes, but Tulane connected on 53.6-percent of its first half field goals, sinking 15, to take a 32-24 lead at the break. SMU trailed by just two in the rebound battle, 20-18, led by Simpson and Hardy, who each had five first-half boards.

Tulane extended its first half lead to a many as 15 points, leading 43-28 with 16:35 left in the second half, but the Mustangs rallied back, cutting the lead to two with a 15-2 run over the next four minutes, trailing 45-43 with 12:21 left to play.

SMU was never able to retake the lead down the stretch, with Tulane going 12-of-14 from the foul line in the last minute and a half. The Mustangs struggled from behind the arc, going just 3-for-16 on 3-point field goals. They shot just 35.4-percent from the field, while Tulane finished shooting 57.8-percent.

The Mustangs return home to host Memphis on Thursday in Moody Coliseum at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.smumustangs.com.