Final Game Book (PDF) | Season Stats | AAC Stats | Career Stats | Postgame Notes
 
DALLAS (SMU) – SMU rode a big third quarter to a 61-51 win over UCF in American Athletic Conference action Tuesday, running its record at Moody Coliseum to 7-0 on the season.
 
Trailing 25-24 at the half, the Mustangs (10-4, 1-1) outscored the Knights 23-12 in the third quarter and carried a 10-point advantage into the final frame. The Mustangs ran off nine straight, including five on one possession.
 
Off an inbound play, Tamia Jones converted a layup despite drawing contact. On her way to the free-throw line, the Knights incurred a technical foul. Following the conclusion of the 3-point play from Jones, Savannah Wilkinson drained both attempts from the stripe, allocating the home side some breathing room at 37-31, with 6:49 to go in the period.
 
Points in the paint from Chantae Embry and Jones moved the Mustangs margin to 10. Trading points over the remaining 3:37, the home side led 47-37 with 10 minutes to play.
 
TK Pitts finished at the rim with 7:47 left, nudging SMU to its largest cushion of the contest at 51-39. Trailing by 11 midways through the quarter, the Knights frantic comeback stalled at six with 68 ticks left. The gap ballooned to 12 on a bucket each from Jessica Peterson and Ella Brow, along with a pair of made free throws from Embry.
 
Embry notched her second-consecutive double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Paige Bayliss rejected three field-goal attempts, matching a career-high, while Jones led the team with three steals. Reagan Bradley notched 12 points and a game-high five assists, while Wilkinson added eight points, six boards and three blocks.
 
SMU Points Leader: Chantae Embry (15)
SMU Rebounds Leader: Chantae Embry (13)
SMU Assists Leader: Reagan Bradley (5)
SMU Steals Leader: Tamia Jones (3)
SMU Blocks Leader: Paige Bayliss, Savannah Wilkinson (3)

TEAM RECORDS AND SERIES NOTES TEAM NOTES
   •    SMU improved to 10-4, including 1-1 in AAC play, while the Knights dropped to 9-4, 0-1.
       •    The Mustangs lead the all-time series 14-13, including 10-3 at home.
   •    SMU won for the first time since Feb. 4, 2017, losing the previous seven games, including two straight in Dallas.
   •    The two teams conclude the regular-season series at Addition Financial Arena Feb. 6 at 5 p.m.
 
TEAM RECORDS AND NOTES
    •   The Mustangs improved to 7-0 at Moody Coliseum, one of just three AAC schools unblemished at home.
    •   SMU improved to 8-0 in the home white uniforms and 3-1 on Tuesday.
    •   The Mustangs remained unbeaten when leading after three quarters, moving to 9-0 on the season.
    •   SMU is 3-1 following a loss, with the lone losing streak occurring at Oklahoma and Baylor, the second and third games of the season.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
    •     Sophomore F Chantae Embry recorded game highs with 15 points and 13 rebounds, adding four assists and one steal.
        •    It is the second double-double in succession and the third of the season and her career.
        •    She reached double-digit scoring for the 10th time and at least 10 rebounds for the third time.
    •    Senior G Reagan Bradley tallied 10 points, rebounds and assists.
        •    She reached double-digit scoring for the sixth time this season.
    •    Junior G Tamia Jones recorded nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
    •    Senior F Savannah Wilkinson tallied eight points, six rebounds and three blocks.
    •    Sophomore C Jessica Peterson netted four points, with five rebounds and one block.
        •    She made a second-career start - first as a Mustang.
    •    Freshman G Ella Brow notched five points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
    •    Freshman G TK Pitts added four points, one assist, two steals and one block.     
    •    Graduate Student C Paige Bayliss totaled four points, six rebounds, one assist and three steals.
    •    Freshman G Jiya Perry logged playing time.
                                                                                                                       
UP NEXT:
The Mustangs travel to the Volunteer State Friday for a 7 p.m. tip at Memphis, the first of two regular-season meetings with the Tigers.