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Mustangs Edged By USC, 64-57, In SMU Classic Final

SMU Women's Basketball

SMU Mustangs
USC SMU
64 57
(5-1) (3-3)

1st 2nd F
 USC 18 46 64
 SMU 23 34 57

SMU USC
 Points 57 64
 FG Made-Att. 24-55 23-64
 FG Percentage 43.6% 35.9%
 3FG Made-Att. 3-10 4-17
 3FG Percentage 30.0% 23.5%
 FT Made-Att. 6-14 14-20
 FT Percentage 42.9% 70.0%
 Rebounds 10-44 12-37
 Assists 15 16
 Turnovers 24 15
 Blocks 3 2
 Steals 6 18

 Individual Leaders
 Stat  SMU  USC
 Points  Tied (2) - 12  K. Horn - 13
 Rebounds  Hives-McCray - 13  K. Horn - 9
 Assists  K. Perry - 3  J. Adams - 7
 Blocks  A. Froling - 3  Tied (2) - 1

 Up Next
 Who:  vs. North Texas
 When:  Wed., Dec. 3 - 7 PM CT
 Where:  Moody Coliseum - Dallas
 Radio:  KAAM 770 AM
 Live Stats:  SMU Gametracker
 Live Video:  PonyUp TV
Schedule  |  Tickets

Nov. 29, 2014

Box Score | Season Stats

DALLAS (SMU) - A late rally pushed the USC Trojans past the SMU women's basketball team, 64-57, in the championship game of the SMU Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday night at Moody Coliseum. 

"Our start was very flat in the second half," said head coach Rhonda Rompola.  "We played tentative and made poor decisions with the ball.  It's frustrating.  It came down to turnovers and free throw shooting."

With the Mustangs trailing by just two points with 5:23 remaining in the game, USC (4-1) went on a 6-0 run to build a 55-47 lead.  Despite a late push in the closing minutes, SMU (3-3) could not overcome the eight-point deficit. 

Junior forward Destynee Hives-McCray scored eight points and grabbed 13 boards, earning all-tournament honors.  Freshman forward Taylor Brame and junior guard Gabrielle Wilkins tied for a team high in scoring with 12 points apiece, while freshman forward Alicia Froling was the third Mustang in double figures, chipping in with 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Mustangs continued their strong play on the defensive end in the loss.  A night after holding Florida A&M to 19.1 percent shooting, the Mustangs bottled up the USC offense as the Trojans shot just 23.5% from the field in the first half. 

The stingy defense gave SMU a 23-18 lead at the break.  However, the Trojan attack came alive in the second half, as USC scored 46 of their 64 points after the break. 

The Trojans' Kaneisha Horn led all scorers with 13 points, while tournament MVP Alexyz Vaioletama added 11 points and five rebounds. 

"We're going to be more strict about turnovers," said Rompola.  "We talked about that before the game.  That could make a difference in the game and it did make a difference in the game."

PLAY OF THE GAME

Wilkins' corner three with 5:23 remaining in the game brought the Mustangs within two at 49-47.

TIP-INS

-SMU is now 3-2 at Moody Coliseum this season.  The Mustangs went 11-4 on their home court a season ago. 

-The Mustangs have held their opponents under 40 percent shooting in all six games this season.  Tonight, USC shot just 35.9 percent from the field. 

-After missing the first two games of the season, Wilkins has scored at least nine points in all four games since. 

-Alicia Froling posted a team season high in blocks with three. 

-Brame scored in double figures for the second consecutive game.  The freshman forward scored just four points in the first four games of the season combined.

-All Tournament Team:

            -Alexyz Vaioleteama, Sr., F, USC (MVP)

-Khadejra Young, Jr., G, Florida A&M

            -Shernise Robertson, Jr., G, Sam Houston State

            -Destynee Hives-McCray, Jr., F, SMU

            -Jordan Adams, So., G, USC

UP NEXT

The Mustangs remain in Dallas for a contest with North Texas on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. CT.  For tickets, please visit SMUTickets.com.  

Mustangs Edged By USC, 64-57, In SMU Classic Final

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Players Mentioned

Alicia Froling

#10 Alicia Froling

Forward
6' 3"
FR

Players Mentioned

Alicia Froling

#10 Alicia Froling

6' 3"
FR
Forward