SMU Women Need 2OT To Down Memphis
DALLAS (SMU) – Akil Simpson tallied 22 points and 13 rebounds as SMU defeated Memphis, 80-75, in double-overtime at the newly-renovated Moody Coliseum on Tuesday night. The double-double is Simpson’s fifth of the season.
SMU improved to 11-4 (2-2 The American) with the win, while Memphis dropped to 7-8 (0-3). The Mustangs are now 3-0 in overtime games this season.
The Mustangs did not allow a point over the last 3:06 of the second overtime, going on a 7-0 run to finish the game after Brei Wilder-Cochran hit a three-pointer to give Memphis a 75-73 lead. Keena Mays started the run to the win with a three-point play with 2:19 remaining to give SMU a 76-75 lead, and SMU hit four free throws down the stretch to close the game.
Mays gave SMU a two-point lead late in the first overtime, hitting a jumper from just inside the arc to give the home team a 70-68 lead. Ariel Hearn was able to answer, however, hitting a baseline jumper with 1.8 seconds remaining to send the game to a second overtime. Mays also had a chance to win the game for SMU at the buzzer in regulation, but her contested, off-balance jumper from the corner came up short.
SMU trailed 38-31 at halftime, with Memphis leading by as much as 13 after three straight three-pointers from Ariel Hearn gave the Tigers a 36-23 edge. An 8-2 run to end the half brought SMU to within single-digits. Memphis opened the game making 15-of-20 shots from the field, but shot just 29.3 percent (16-of-58) the rest of the way.
Mallory Singleton scored a season-high 15 points behind 5-of-9 shooting and two three-pointers. Mays also finished with 15 points with six points and five steals. Simpson also recorded five steals as SMU forced a season-high 28 turnovers. The Mustangs made the most of the Tigers’ errors, outscoring Memphis 32-14 in points off turnovers. Freshman Kiara Perry was the third Mustang to score 15 points, and also led SMU with four assists.
SMU will hit the road to play Rutgers on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT. The Scarlet Knights are receiving votes in the latest AP poll with a 12-2 (3-0) record.
