DALLAS (SMU) - After falling just short in the closing moments last time out, this time the Mustangs made sure to make enough plays down the stretch. SMU erased a six-point second-half deficit to knock off Temple, 60-56, on Wednesday night in Moody Coliseum. 

SMU trailed by as much as nine early on as Temple opened the game on an 11-2 run. However, from that point on, the game settled into a tightly contested, back-and-forth game. 

With Temple leading by two in the fourth quarter, Kiara Perry hit a 3-pointer at the 3:50-mark to vault SMU into the lead. A minute later, freshman Ariana Whitfield came up clutch by sinking in a 3-pointer as well to increase the SMU lead to four. From that point on, Temple never managed to catch back up to the Mustangs. 

Those back-to-back makes from deep came after SMU missed 9 of its first 10 attempts from 3. The Mustangs found the plays when they needed them the most. In the fourth quarter, SMU shot 62 percent from the floor to score 24 points and walk out with the win. 

Senior Klara Bradshaw also played a huge role in the Mustangs closing out the victory. Bradshaw scored or assists on all three of SMU's final buckets while also hitting the free throw to extend the lead to two possessions with 20 seconds left. On both of Temple's misses in the final 30 seconds, it was Bradshaw that came down with the rebound. 

Senior McKenzie Adams played all 40 minutes and led the way in scoring for the Mustangs, dropping in 16 points on solid 7-for-13 shootings while also grabbing six rebounds. Bradshaw and Perry joined Adams in double figures with each scoring 12 points. 

Johnasia Cash was a big reason SMU enjoyed an advantage of seven rebounds on the glass. The freshman grabbed a team-high 11 boards while also contributing eight points.

SMU's defense continued its strong play on the defensive side of the ball, holding Temple 10 points below its season average. The Mustangs forced the Owls into 19 turnovers that led to 18 of SMU's points. 

The Mustangs also showed some of their best ball movement of the season, tallying 16 assists on 24 made shots. Perry led the way in the category by dishing out six assists, just one shy of her season-high. 

Next up, SMU will travel to ECU and be looking for a season sweep of the Pirates on Saturday February 3 at 4 p.m.