Jan. 2, 2010
Box Score 
Season Stats
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (SMU) - Brittany Gilliam scored 19 points, but the Mustangs came up short in the Jon M. Huntsman Center, falling 72-58 at Utah in their final game before starting Conference USA play Thursday.
Gilliam was 7-of-17 from the field, including two 3-point baskets to lead SMU (10-3), but the Mustangs couldn't slow down Utah's Kalee Whipple, who finished with 28 points leading the Utes (8-4).
The Mustangs stayed with Utah in the first half, connecting on 11-of-33 shots, including 4-of-10 from behind the arc, and led 23-15 with 8:10 left in the first half. The Utes went 5-of-9 from 3-point range and shot 59.1-percent from the field, and out-scored the Mustangs 20-7 over the final eight minutes of the first half to lead 35-30 at halftime.
SMU missed their first nine shots of the second half, but the Mustangs were still within five points, 37-32, five minutes into the half. Utah went on a 13-2 run over the next four minutes, stretching the lead to 50-34 with 11:14 left in the game. SMU didn't get within 10 points the rest of the way, falling 72-58.
Haley Day added 12 points, going 2-for-4 from behind the arc, to join Gilliam in double-figures. Raquel Christian added nine points in the loss.
The Mustangs will open their C-USA schedule in Birmingham, Ala., where they will face UAB at 7 p.m. Thursday.
