DALLAS (SMU) – Alicia Froling became the Mustangs' career leader in rebounds as SMU topped North Texas, 73-66, on Wednesday inside Moody Coliseum.

    The Mustangs won their 16th consecutive home game against the rival Mean Green in a game that saw SMU erase a 20-point deficit.

    North Texas jumped out to a large advantage in the first quarter, outscoring the Mustangs 25-5 in the game's opening period. The Mustangs slowly chipped away at the lead throughout the next two quarters. In the second, the Mustangs responded by cutting the Mean Green lead in half. The Mustangs hit 9-of-20 in the quarter, forced six turnovers and were aided by a 12-0 scoring stretch midway through the quarter.

    SMU kept the momentum going into the third quarter. The Mustangs were able to get to the line often in the third and took advantage, knocking down 11-of-12 in the period. Ariana Whitfield's layup with three minutes to go in the third quarter evened the score, and the Mustangs took their first lead on a Kayla White fast-break bucket on the following possession.

    The fourth quarter was all Mustangs as SMU stormed ahead for good. A 7-0 run in the middle of the period extended the lead to eight heading into the game's final two minutes. SMU continued to hit from the line to close out the Mean Green. SMU finished 20-of-23 from the line in the second half.

    Alicia Froling grabbed her historic rebound in the third quarter, passing Janielle Dodds' tally of 974 career rebounds. The Australia native collected another double-double in Wednesday's game with 15 points and 14 rebounds, tying her for the lead in the NCAA with six on the season. Additionally, Froling added six blocks, one off the single game SMU record.

    Kayla White led the team with 17 points in 31 minutes of floor time. Ariana Whitfield added 16, while also contributing five boards, three steals and three assists. Makenzie Ellis came off the bench to collect seven rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. Johnasia Cash played nearly the entire game, just missing a double-double with nine points and nine boards.

    The Mustangs finished the game with 30 second-chance points aided by 24 offensive rebounds.

    SMU improved to 5-3 on the season and extended its win streak to three. North Texas fell to 2-4. The all-time series now stands at 32-18 in favor of the Mustangs.

    Next up, the Mustangs travel to Colorado for a Saturday showdown at 3 p.m. with Northern Colorado.