Thursday, March 16
Dallas, Texas
7 p.m.
SMU
vs
Little Rock
SMU Hosts Little Rock Thursday At 7 p.m. In WNIT First Round
Mar 14 | Women's Basketball
WNIT First Round
SMU (16-12, 7-8 AAC) vs. Little Rock (21-10, 17-1 OVC)
Moody Coliseum - Dallas, Texas
Thursday, March 16, 2023– 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN3 | Live Stats I WNIT I WNIT Bracket
Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store) | John Hendry
SMU Women's Basketball Yearbook (PDF)Â
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
SMU Notes (PDF) | Little Rock IÂ The AmericanÂ
OPENING TIP
SMU faces Little Rock in the first round of the 2023 WNIT Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN3.Â
Thursday's matchup marks the third ever and first meeting since the 2012-13 season between the two programs.Â
SMU is 1-1 all-time against Little Rock.Â
WNIT TOURNAMENT HISTORY
This is the ninth overall and second consecutive WNIT appearance for the Mustangs.Â
SMU fell in the first round of the 2022 WNIT, its last postseason appearance.Â
The Mustangs advanced to the third round of the 64-team bracket in 2017.
SMU is 3-1 at home in the WNIT, including two home wins in 2017.
The Mustangs are making a postseason appearance for the third time in seven seasons.Â
SMU is in the postseason for back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014 and 2015.Â
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
Little Rock is 21-10 overall and was the regular season Ohio Valley Conference Champion with a 17-1 league record.Â
The Trojans fell 54-46 to Tennessee Tech in the OVC Championship, snapping their 13 game win streak.
MOODY MAGIC
SMU is 12-2 in Moody Coliseum this season. SMU started the year 10-0 at home- breaking the program's best start to open a season (2004-05) and best home winning streak (1999-00, final nine games). The win streak ended Feb. 4 after a 65-63 loss to then-No. 25 USF.
HOME COOKING
The Mustangs outscore their opponents 67.0-53.1 at Moody Coliseum, shooting 43.9% to opponents' 34.3%.Â
In rebounding action, SMU owns the 41.5-32.4 advantage.
The Mustangs average 4.7 more assists than their opponents at Moody Coliseum.
Â
QUARTER POLE
SMU is 15-4 when leading or tied after three quarters.
The Mustangs own a 13-7 mark when ahead or even after the first period.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Mustangs are 14-5 when outrebounding their opponents.
SMU has outscored its foes in the paint in 21-of-28 games, winning 16.
SMU is 13-1 when recording more assists than its opponent.
SMU is 8-3 when scoring more bench points than its opponent.Â
Â
SHOOTING STARS
SMU owns a 13-3 mark when outshooting its opponents.
The Mustangs are 11-4 when hitting at least 40% from the field.
SMU is 15-2 when holding opponents at 39.9% or less.Â
Â
GETTING DEFENSIVE
SMU allows 58.4 ppg, ranking second in the AAC and 54th in the nation.
The Mustangs own a 14-4 record when holding opponents below 60 points.
Oklahoma (97-74), Wichita State (73-65) and Temple (68-62) are the only teams to surpass its scoring average against SMU in regulation. ECU scored 66 in the Mustangs' overtime win, surpassing its season average of 62.4 and Memphis scored 69 points in overtime, surpassing its average of 68.1.Â
SMU's three losses when holding a team below 40% occurred at Baylor, Tulane and against Houston in the AAC Quarterfinal.
  Â
BEST IN THE AAC
Ella Brow was named the AAC Freshman of the Week on Jan. 16 Â after wins against Cincinnati and ECU.
Jasmine Smith collected AAC Co-Player of the Week honors Dec. 5, after her performance at the Raising the B.A.R. tournament. Smith was named to the weekly honor roll (1/6).
Chantae Embry is a five-time AAC Weekly Honor Roll selection (2/13, 1/24, 1/16, 1/2, 11/14).
Savannah Wilkinson appeared on the AAC Weekly Honor Roll twice this season (2/20)(1/28).
Wilkinson earned a unanimous selection on the Preseason All-AAC Team.
Wilkinson was also named to the All-AAC second team in 2012-22, while Kayla White was selected to the third team.
Jessica Peterson earned a spot on the final Weekly Honor roll for the first time this year (3/2).
All-AACÂ HONORS
Savannah Wilkinson, Jasmine Smith and Ella Brow each earned All-American Athletic Conference honors. Smith and Wilkinson were named to the All-AAC Second Team and Brow was named to the All-Freshman team.Â
SMITH AND WILKINSON EARN CSC HONORS
Jasmine Smith and Savannah Wilkinson were named to the College Sports Communicators 2022-23 Academic All-District Women's Basketball team. To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 GPA, have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games, have completed one full calendar year at his current institution and have reached sophomore athletic eligibility.
Â
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
SMU won the second Raising the B.A.R. Invitational, hosted by Cal Dec. 3-4, defeating Gardner-Webb 84-71 and Cal 70-56.
Jasmine Smith earned MVP and all-tournament team accolades, while Savannah Wilkinson and Tamia Jones joined her on the all-tournament team.
Â
20-20 VISION
Chantae Embry owns four of the Mustangs' seven 20-point games this season (20 at OU, 20 at Oral Roberts, 20 vs. ECU, 21 vs. Houston)
Jasmine Smith totaled 21 in a home win over LA Tech Nov. 22 and at home against No. 25 USF on Feb. 4.
Savannah Wilkinson scored a season-high 23 points at Tulane on Feb. 16.Â
MUSTANGS IN THE CLASSROOM
SMU posted a team fall term grade-point-average of 3.12.
MUSTANG MILESTONES
Jessica Peterson recorded a career-high 19 points at Temple on March 1.Â
Reagan Bradley hit a pair of Individual milestones at USF on Feb. 18:
Earned her 300th career assist (needed five to reach).
Moved to No. 8 on SMU's all-time assist list (needed three to reach).Â
SMU Career Assists
489 Suzanne McAnally 1989-92
481 Kendall Shead 2003-06
462 Karen Blair 1995-99
435 Brittany Gilliam 2006-10
368 Missy Parker 1990-93
327 Tomi Hollis 1983-86
319 Alisha Filmore 2009-13
300 Reagan Bradley 2019-23
Jasmine Smith tallied her 500th rebound against USF.Â
EXPERIENCE LEADS YOUTH
SMU returned eight players who saw significant playing time in 2021-22, including regular starters Savannah Wilkinson, Jasmine Smith and Reagan Bradley.
The Mustangs picked up transfers Chantae Embry (Texas Tech) and Jessica Peterson (Fresno State).
SMU added a five-player freshman class.
OPENING STRONG
SMU was predicted to finish third in the AAC standings in 2022-23 behind league front-runners USF and Houston.
The Mustangs received a vote in the preseason USA Today/Coaches Top 25 poll.
Savannah Wilkinson was selected as a unanimous preseason all-conference player.Â
SMU made its first WNIT appearance since 2017 last season.
WELCOME TO THE HILLTOP
Head Coach Toyelle Wilson inked a pair of guards to a National Letter of Intent, signing Aaliyah Henderson (Norman, Okla.) and Shanel Reid (Austin, Texas).
Aaliyah Henderson, 5-7, Guard, Norman, Okla./Norman High School
Henderson, a three-year letterwinner for Norman High School ranks in the top-five in Oklahoma for the class of 2022 at the point-guard position. She earned two All-Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Selections, including first team in 2022. Her team won the 2021 Oklahoma 6A State Title after qualifying for the state tournament the previous year, before it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Her other accolades include Joe Lawson All Tournament First Team, Bruce Gray Invitational All Tournament MVP, 56th Annual Tournament of Champions All-Tournament First Team, Big All City Second Team, The Oklahoman Super 5 Honorable Mention, a two-time All-Oklahoma Honorable mention. In the classroom, Henderson entered her senior campaign for accuracy.
"Aaliyah is a scoring point guard that can flat out score the ball," Wilson said. "She brings a defensive mentality we need on our team. She has instant energy and quickness that will help our team on both sides of the ball. Aaliyah won a state championship and knew what it takes to win. She is a proven winner and I'm excited for Mustang Nation to see her on the court."
Shanel Reid, 5-11, Guard, Austin High School/Austin, Texas
Reid, a three-year letterwinner for Austin High School earned All-Texas First Team Honors twice, an All-Texas Academic First Team Accolade, All-Region First Team in 2021-22, All-District First Team Selection and 2019-20 district newcomer of the year and offensive MVP.
"Shanel is a 6-0 wing with a smooth game that will bring size and athleticism to our back court," Wilson said. "She can shoot the three, get to the rim and has a great midrange game. She handles the ball well and is an incredible passer. The best part of her game is how versatile she is from the perimeter. When I got to see her in person, she made a huge impact for her team on and off the ball. She will have a chance to make an immediate impact with the system we run here at SMU."
NEW FACES, SAME CONFERENCE
The American has finalized entrance agreements with its six incoming member institutions, who will officially join the conference July 1, 2023.
Â
The establishment of the entry date comes after the conference reached agreement with its three exiting schools – UCF, Cincinnati and Houston – to terminate their conference membership as of June 30, 2023. The American announced in October that UAB, FAU, Charlotte, UNT, Rice and UTSA had their applications for membership approved by the conference's nine continuing members.Â
Â
The six new members will join East Carolina, Memphis, Navy (football only), South Florida, SMU, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa and Wichita State (basketball and Olympic Sports only) – to bring The American's membership to 15 schools, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. The American will compete as a 14-team league in football and in men's and women's basketball among other sports.
SMU ATHLETICS LAUNCHES NEW STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS DEPARTMENT
As part of its goal of Shaping Champions and preparing students for life, SMU Athletics proudly announced the creation of a new Student-Athlete Success Department. This new department encompasses all student-development-centered efforts such as Life After Ball, SAAC and community service initiatives. Additionally, it will house NIL Education and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming. Due to a generous donation from Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin, SMU Athletics will be able to grow staffing in these critical areas in our support of our student-athletes.
SMU (16-12, 7-8 AAC) vs. Little Rock (21-10, 17-1 OVC)
Moody Coliseum - Dallas, Texas
Thursday, March 16, 2023– 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN3 | Live Stats I WNIT I WNIT Bracket
Audio Streaming: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store) | John Hendry
SMU Women's Basketball Yearbook (PDF)Â
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
SMU Notes (PDF) | Little Rock IÂ The AmericanÂ
OPENING TIP
SMU faces Little Rock in the first round of the 2023 WNIT Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN3.Â
Thursday's matchup marks the third ever and first meeting since the 2012-13 season between the two programs.Â
SMU is 1-1 all-time against Little Rock.Â
WNIT TOURNAMENT HISTORY
This is the ninth overall and second consecutive WNIT appearance for the Mustangs.Â
SMU fell in the first round of the 2022 WNIT, its last postseason appearance.Â
The Mustangs advanced to the third round of the 64-team bracket in 2017.
SMU is 3-1 at home in the WNIT, including two home wins in 2017.
The Mustangs are making a postseason appearance for the third time in seven seasons.Â
SMU is in the postseason for back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014 and 2015.Â
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
Little Rock is 21-10 overall and was the regular season Ohio Valley Conference Champion with a 17-1 league record.Â
The Trojans fell 54-46 to Tennessee Tech in the OVC Championship, snapping their 13 game win streak.
MOODY MAGIC
SMU is 12-2 in Moody Coliseum this season. SMU started the year 10-0 at home- breaking the program's best start to open a season (2004-05) and best home winning streak (1999-00, final nine games). The win streak ended Feb. 4 after a 65-63 loss to then-No. 25 USF.
HOME COOKING
The Mustangs outscore their opponents 67.0-53.1 at Moody Coliseum, shooting 43.9% to opponents' 34.3%.Â
In rebounding action, SMU owns the 41.5-32.4 advantage.
The Mustangs average 4.7 more assists than their opponents at Moody Coliseum.
Â
QUARTER POLE
SMU is 15-4 when leading or tied after three quarters.
The Mustangs own a 13-7 mark when ahead or even after the first period.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The Mustangs are 14-5 when outrebounding their opponents.
SMU has outscored its foes in the paint in 21-of-28 games, winning 16.
SMU is 13-1 when recording more assists than its opponent.
SMU is 8-3 when scoring more bench points than its opponent.Â
Â
SHOOTING STARS
SMU owns a 13-3 mark when outshooting its opponents.
The Mustangs are 11-4 when hitting at least 40% from the field.
SMU is 15-2 when holding opponents at 39.9% or less.Â
Â
GETTING DEFENSIVE
SMU allows 58.4 ppg, ranking second in the AAC and 54th in the nation.
The Mustangs own a 14-4 record when holding opponents below 60 points.
Oklahoma (97-74), Wichita State (73-65) and Temple (68-62) are the only teams to surpass its scoring average against SMU in regulation. ECU scored 66 in the Mustangs' overtime win, surpassing its season average of 62.4 and Memphis scored 69 points in overtime, surpassing its average of 68.1.Â
SMU's three losses when holding a team below 40% occurred at Baylor, Tulane and against Houston in the AAC Quarterfinal.
  Â
BEST IN THE AAC
Ella Brow was named the AAC Freshman of the Week on Jan. 16 Â after wins against Cincinnati and ECU.
Jasmine Smith collected AAC Co-Player of the Week honors Dec. 5, after her performance at the Raising the B.A.R. tournament. Smith was named to the weekly honor roll (1/6).
Chantae Embry is a five-time AAC Weekly Honor Roll selection (2/13, 1/24, 1/16, 1/2, 11/14).
Savannah Wilkinson appeared on the AAC Weekly Honor Roll twice this season (2/20)(1/28).
Wilkinson earned a unanimous selection on the Preseason All-AAC Team.
Wilkinson was also named to the All-AAC second team in 2012-22, while Kayla White was selected to the third team.
Jessica Peterson earned a spot on the final Weekly Honor roll for the first time this year (3/2).
All-AACÂ HONORS
Savannah Wilkinson, Jasmine Smith and Ella Brow each earned All-American Athletic Conference honors. Smith and Wilkinson were named to the All-AAC Second Team and Brow was named to the All-Freshman team.Â
SMITH AND WILKINSON EARN CSC HONORS
Jasmine Smith and Savannah Wilkinson were named to the College Sports Communicators 2022-23 Academic All-District Women's Basketball team. To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 GPA, have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games, have completed one full calendar year at his current institution and have reached sophomore athletic eligibility.
Â
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
SMU won the second Raising the B.A.R. Invitational, hosted by Cal Dec. 3-4, defeating Gardner-Webb 84-71 and Cal 70-56.
Jasmine Smith earned MVP and all-tournament team accolades, while Savannah Wilkinson and Tamia Jones joined her on the all-tournament team.
Â
20-20 VISION
Chantae Embry owns four of the Mustangs' seven 20-point games this season (20 at OU, 20 at Oral Roberts, 20 vs. ECU, 21 vs. Houston)
Jasmine Smith totaled 21 in a home win over LA Tech Nov. 22 and at home against No. 25 USF on Feb. 4.
Savannah Wilkinson scored a season-high 23 points at Tulane on Feb. 16.Â
MUSTANGS IN THE CLASSROOM
SMU posted a team fall term grade-point-average of 3.12.
MUSTANG MILESTONES
Jessica Peterson recorded a career-high 19 points at Temple on March 1.Â
Reagan Bradley hit a pair of Individual milestones at USF on Feb. 18:
Earned her 300th career assist (needed five to reach).
Moved to No. 8 on SMU's all-time assist list (needed three to reach).Â
SMU Career Assists
489 Suzanne McAnally 1989-92
481 Kendall Shead 2003-06
462 Karen Blair 1995-99
435 Brittany Gilliam 2006-10
368 Missy Parker 1990-93
327 Tomi Hollis 1983-86
319 Alisha Filmore 2009-13
300 Reagan Bradley 2019-23
Jasmine Smith tallied her 500th rebound against USF.Â
EXPERIENCE LEADS YOUTH
SMU returned eight players who saw significant playing time in 2021-22, including regular starters Savannah Wilkinson, Jasmine Smith and Reagan Bradley.
The Mustangs picked up transfers Chantae Embry (Texas Tech) and Jessica Peterson (Fresno State).
SMU added a five-player freshman class.
OPENING STRONG
SMU was predicted to finish third in the AAC standings in 2022-23 behind league front-runners USF and Houston.
The Mustangs received a vote in the preseason USA Today/Coaches Top 25 poll.
Savannah Wilkinson was selected as a unanimous preseason all-conference player.Â
SMU made its first WNIT appearance since 2017 last season.
WELCOME TO THE HILLTOP
Head Coach Toyelle Wilson inked a pair of guards to a National Letter of Intent, signing Aaliyah Henderson (Norman, Okla.) and Shanel Reid (Austin, Texas).
Aaliyah Henderson, 5-7, Guard, Norman, Okla./Norman High School
Henderson, a three-year letterwinner for Norman High School ranks in the top-five in Oklahoma for the class of 2022 at the point-guard position. She earned two All-Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Selections, including first team in 2022. Her team won the 2021 Oklahoma 6A State Title after qualifying for the state tournament the previous year, before it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Her other accolades include Joe Lawson All Tournament First Team, Bruce Gray Invitational All Tournament MVP, 56th Annual Tournament of Champions All-Tournament First Team, Big All City Second Team, The Oklahoman Super 5 Honorable Mention, a two-time All-Oklahoma Honorable mention. In the classroom, Henderson entered her senior campaign for accuracy.
"Aaliyah is a scoring point guard that can flat out score the ball," Wilson said. "She brings a defensive mentality we need on our team. She has instant energy and quickness that will help our team on both sides of the ball. Aaliyah won a state championship and knew what it takes to win. She is a proven winner and I'm excited for Mustang Nation to see her on the court."
Shanel Reid, 5-11, Guard, Austin High School/Austin, Texas
Reid, a three-year letterwinner for Austin High School earned All-Texas First Team Honors twice, an All-Texas Academic First Team Accolade, All-Region First Team in 2021-22, All-District First Team Selection and 2019-20 district newcomer of the year and offensive MVP.
"Shanel is a 6-0 wing with a smooth game that will bring size and athleticism to our back court," Wilson said. "She can shoot the three, get to the rim and has a great midrange game. She handles the ball well and is an incredible passer. The best part of her game is how versatile she is from the perimeter. When I got to see her in person, she made a huge impact for her team on and off the ball. She will have a chance to make an immediate impact with the system we run here at SMU."
NEW FACES, SAME CONFERENCE
The American has finalized entrance agreements with its six incoming member institutions, who will officially join the conference July 1, 2023.
Â
The establishment of the entry date comes after the conference reached agreement with its three exiting schools – UCF, Cincinnati and Houston – to terminate their conference membership as of June 30, 2023. The American announced in October that UAB, FAU, Charlotte, UNT, Rice and UTSA had their applications for membership approved by the conference's nine continuing members.Â
Â
The six new members will join East Carolina, Memphis, Navy (football only), South Florida, SMU, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa and Wichita State (basketball and Olympic Sports only) – to bring The American's membership to 15 schools, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. The American will compete as a 14-team league in football and in men's and women's basketball among other sports.
SMU ATHLETICS LAUNCHES NEW STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS DEPARTMENT
As part of its goal of Shaping Champions and preparing students for life, SMU Athletics proudly announced the creation of a new Student-Athlete Success Department. This new department encompasses all student-development-centered efforts such as Life After Ball, SAAC and community service initiatives. Additionally, it will house NIL Education and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming. Due to a generous donation from Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin, SMU Athletics will be able to grow staffing in these critical areas in our support of our student-athletes.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Center
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's BasketballThursday, September 24
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