PHILADELPHIA (SMU) - SMU had a clear look at a game-tying 3-point attempt in the final seconds against Temple, but the shot would not fall, resulting in a 55-52 road loss on Sunday afternoon. 

Senior McKenzie Adams led the way for the Mustangs, scoring 14 points while grabbing six rebounds. Fellow senior Klara Bradshaw joined Adams in double-figures by contributing a season-high 10 points. 

On a day when shots would not fall for her, senior Kiara Perry found a way to make an impact. Perry grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds while dishing out a season-high seven assists. 

Both teams spent a significant portion of the game in the lead, as neither could get firm control of the contest. 

SMU led the game for more than 17 minutes and by as much as 10 points as the offense raced out to one of its best starts of the season. The Mustangs opened the game on a 7-0 run and led the game for the entire first quarter. However, a 12-0 run by the Owls in the second quarter erased the Mustang lead and gave it to Temple. 

Temple led for most of the second half, but SMU was able to keep the Owls within striking distance. The largest Temple lead was eight late in the third quarter, and it was quickly answered by four Mustang points to get the game back to two possessions. 

The Mustangs completely erased Temple's lead by the end of the third, using a 6-0 run to enter the last quarter tied. However, SMU could never regain in the final 10 minutes. 

SMU once again finished with more rebounds than its opponent, winning the battle of the boards in 13 of the 16 games this season. The offensive glass was especially important, leading to 16 second-chance points for SMU compared to just six for Temple. 

Coming off the bench, junior Dai'ja Thomas and freshman Johnasia Cash contributed active performances for the Mustangs. Thomas finished with nine points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes of play, but foul trouble shortened her day some. Meanwhile, Cash dropped in eight points and a tied a career-high with nine rebounds. 

SMU is back at Moody Coliseum on Saturday, January 13 to face East Carolina at 2 p.m.