Box Score | Final Game Book  |  Post-Game Press Conference

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball team won its fourth consecutive season opener, defeating North Carolina A&T, 77-64, on Monday at home behind 21 points from Nya Robertson and 16 from Jessica Peterson. 

After a slow start, SMU used a 22-5 run to close out the second quarter to take control of the game and never looked back, as the team used a 24-point third quarter to keep N.C. A&T out of reach. The Mustangs held the Aggies to just 37.3% shooting from the field in the game.

Robertson led SMU in points with 21, going 7-18 from the floor, including two three-pointers and went 5-of-6 from the line in her Mustang debut. Her 21 points are the most points in a season opener since former Mustang McKenzie Adams scored 38 in the team's 2017 season opener.

After missing the majority of last season with an injury, Peterson returned to the court in a big way, recording her first career double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the first three quarters. She ended the game with 16 points and 11 boards and three blocked shots.

Zanai Jones added 10 of her own points and led the team with a career-high seven assists. Chantae Embry finished the game with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the game was played inside the Crum Basketball Center instead of inside Moody Coliseum. 

// HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mustangs started slow and were down 6-0 before Peterson scored the team's first bucket of the season and got the offense going. The Mustangs battled back and took their first lead of the game as Kylie Marshall drained a three to put the Mustangs up 11-9 with four minutes left in the first.

SMU trailed 21-18 at the end of the first as Peterson led the Mustangs with six points, going 3-for-4 from the field in the quarter.

The Mustangs started clicking on offense in the second quarter. SMU went on a 9-2 run (4-5 from the floor) to get within two of the Aggies (29-27).

SMU dominated the second quarter, going on a 22-5 run as Robertson caught fire, scoring eight points during the stretch, which included a tough and-1 finish. She scored 15 points in the first half, going 5-6 from the line, and added two threes. Peterson also ended the first half with 10 points and seven boards.

SMU picked right where they left off in the first half, scoring five straight points to start the third. The Mustang's defensive pressure led to offense as the team outscored N.C A&T 24-15 in the period. SMU forced the Aggies to go 5-16 from the floor in the third.

N.C. A&T would not go away quietly as the team went on a 9-0 run halfway through the fourth and got within 12 points, but a strong and-1 finish from Embry shifted the momentum back to the Mustangs.

 // NEXT GAME
vs Old Dominion | Saturday, Nov. 9 | 1 p.m. CT | Moody Coliseum
TV: ACCNX | Radio: SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)

// NOTES

• Starters: #1 Zanai Jones (G, Gs.),#2 TK Pitts (G, Jr.),  #3 Nya Robertson (G, Jr.), #33 Chantae Embry (F, Sr.) #35 Jessica Peterson (C, Sr.)
• Five Mustangs made their SMU debut: Zanai Jones, Nya Robertson, Kylie Marshall, Kaysia Woods, Sandra Magolico
• The Mustangs have won four straight non-conference games dating back to last season.
• SMU is now 4-0 in season openers under head coach Wilson.,
• The Mustangs are now 22-14 in non-conference games under Wilson.
• SMU is now 24-9 at home over the last three seasons.

 
// ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Zanai Jones (#1 G, Gs.)
  • 10 points, 7 assists (Career High), 5-9 FG, 5 rebounds
  • 10^th career double-digit scoring game
  • 13^th career game with three-plus assist
• Nya Robertson (#3 G, Jr.)
  • 21 points, 7-18 FG, 2-9 3PT, 2 rebounds,
  • Scored in double figures for the ninth game in a row dating back to last season
  • 43^rd career game scoring in double figures, 20^th career 20-point game
• Kaysia Woods (#4 F, Sr.)
  • 2 points, 5 rebounds 11 min.
  • SMU debut
• Ella Brow (#5 G, R-So.)
  • 5 points, 3 assists, 2-6 FG
  • First game back since last season's first game
• Kylie Marshall (#22 G, So.)
  • 9 points, 4-8 FG, 5 rebounds, 24 min
  • Career-high nine points,
  • Career-high field goals attempted/made
  • Career-high minutes played.
• Chantae Embry (#33 F, Sr.)
  • 11 points, 9 rebounds, 5-11 FG
  • 23^rd career double-figure game
•  Jessica Peterson (#35 C, Sr.)
  • 16 points, 11 rebounds, 8-12 FG, 3 blocks, 1 steal.
  • Sixth career game in double figures
  • First career double-double
  • Fourth career game leading SMU in rebounding
  • Career-high minutes played 32.
  • Career-high field goals made.