DALLAS (SMU) – Rhyle McKinney scored a team-high 10 points, reaching double figures for the fourth straight game, as the SMU women's basketball team lost its American Athletic Conference opener, 50-46 against ECU, Wednesday afternoon in Moody Coliseum.

McKinney paced the squad in scoring for the second time this season, scoring a season-high 13 points at Oklahoma State. The freshman reached double digits with 9:15 left in the fourth quarter to put SMU in front by 11, 44-33. Just over four minutes later, BriShonne Tollie scored her lone field goal of the game.

ECU outscored the Mustangs 17-4 in the fourth quarter as SMU dropped to 0-5 on the season, 0-1 in The American. The Pirates climbed to 3-3, 1-0 in The American.

"[ECU has] a veteran team, and you can't give them extra possessions," Mays stated after the loss. "We have to play for 40 minutes. Every possession matters."

SMU plays at Temple Sunday at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT. The Mustangs are scheduled to return to Moody Coliseum Dec. 30 against Cincinnati.