BOX SCORE | SEASON STATS | MAYS & OLSON POSTGAME

DALLAS (SMU) – Freshman forward Marie Olson blocked a step-back three-point attempt by USF's Enna Pehadzic with four seconds left to seal a 46-44 win for SMU women's basketball inside Moody Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.

This was the first time in program history that SMU (8-12, 2-5 American Athletic Conference) has beaten USF (11-9, 2-4 AAC), a perennial NCAA Tournament team. USF had won the previous 10 meetings.

The Bulls had cut the Mustangs' lead to two points with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Olson block capped off five consecutive defensive stops for the Mustangs that secured the win.

Freshman guard Kayla White led the Mustangs with 12 points, while Olson and senior forward Alicia Froling each added seven. Sophomore forward Johnasia Cash grabbed a team-high 10 points in addition to six points. Freshman guard JaQuia White dished a game-high four assists.

The Mustangs shot 30.5 percent from the floor for the game, but held the Bulls to 27.8 percent from the field, including 16.0 percent from three-point range. SMU made three of its eight three-point attempts and seven of its nine free throws.

Leading 25-22 at halftime, SMU quickly stretched its advantage to 12 points to start the third quarter. On the first play of the second half, sophomore guard Ariana Whitfield drained a three from the wing. After a pair of USF free throws, a three by Kayla White and a jumper by Cash forced the Bulls into a timeout.

As the Bulls cut into the SMU lead during the fourth quarter, junior forward Makenzie Ellis knocked down a jumper to put the Mustangs up 46-42 and keep USF at arm's length. SMU's defense clamped down, holding the Bulls scoreless for the final three minutes of the game.

SMU is back in action Saturday, Feb. 2 at Houston. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.