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DALLAS (SMU) – The Mustangs rallied past CSU Bakersfield in the fourth quarter to beat the Roadrunners, 49-43, inside Moody Coliseum on Wednesday night.

SMU got off an early lead against the Roadrunners, but Bakersfield answered as they went on a run near the end of the first quarter and held the lead at the half, leading the Mustangs by eight at the intermission.

The Mustangs were able to eat up some of the Roadrunner advantage, cutting a ten-point game to five points heading into the game's final period.
SMU rode the momentum into the fourth, Alicia Froling added buckets on consecutive possessions to cut the lead to one with seven minutes to play. The Mustang went ahead for the first time at the five-minute mark as Amber Bacon found Kayla White for a breakaway layup.

After the two teams traded baskets for the next few minutes, an Ariana Whitfield steal led to a Kayla White three-point play putting SMU up three with 2:12 to play. Amber Bacon knocked down two key free throws in the final 17 seconds, to put the Mustangs up five and seal the game. The Mustang D held the Roadrunners to 2-of-16 shooting in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

The Mustangs improved to 6-5 on the season and the Roadrunners fell to 4-6. SMU is 4-2 at home this season.

With a rebound in the final second of the first half, Froling reached the 1,000 career rebound plateau. Froling is already the program's leader in career rebounds and double-doubles. She moved into fourth all-time in American Conference history with her historic board, passing three-time national player of the year, Breanna Stewart. Froling finished the game with 15 rebounds, 12 points and a pair of blocks.

It was the fourth time this season the Mustangs have held an opponent to under 50 points on the season. The Mustangs came into the game 50^th in the nation allowing 56.8 points per game. The defense forced a season-high 26 turnovers in the contest.  

Amber Bacon tied for the Mustang lead in points with 12. The freshman also added four assists and a pair of steals in the Mustang victory.

The Mustangs will return to Moody Coliseum for a 2 p.m. Saturday meeting with Oklahoma for the middle game of their three-game homestand. SMU will face UTA on Dec. 29 in the final non-conference game of the regular season.