Box Score |
Final Game Book |
Post Game Press Conference
DALLAS (SMU) – Behind 20-point performances from guards
Nya Robertson and
Zanai Jones, the SMU women's basketball program held off Stanford 67-63 to secure its first-ever ACC victory.
Up by one with 16 seconds left in the game Jones, who was already having a career game, took matters into her own hands driving hard left through traffic, drawing contact and got the layup to fall after bouncing off the back of the rim, putting SMU up 66-63. SMU forced a desperation shot from the Cardinal that the Mustangs corralled as
TK Pitts iced the game at the line to give SMU the four-point victory.
SMU has now won four games in a row and seven of its last nine as the team improved to 9-5 (1-1 ACC) overall, while Stanford is now 8-5 (0-2 ACC).
The Mustangs began the game on a 10-run, as Robertson went 4-of-4 from behind the arc in the first quarter. Jones added six as SMU led 24-13 at the end of the first quarter shooting 53% from the floor (10-19). Both teams slowed down in the second quarter as Robertson had 14 and Jones had 10 heading into the break.
SMU came out of the half clicking on offense as Jones kick-started a 13-0 run that increased the lead to 18. Jones scored seven points during the stretch, including one from behind the arc, as SMU went 7-of-8 from the floor during the run. However, Stanford would not go away and cut the lead to 10 at the end of the third. The Cardinal, showing no signs of quitting and went on an 11-0 run late in the fourth and got within one before Jones hit the biggest shot of her SMU career. The Mustangs never trailed in the game.
Jones recorded a career-high 20 points on an efficient 9-15 shooting. She also added five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals in her complete game performance.
Robertson tallied a game-high 21 points, marking her seventh 20-point game of the season. She was 4-of-9 from beyond the arc and added two steals. It was the first time this season SMU had two players score 20 or more points in the same game.
Center
Jessica Peterson, as usual, controlled the paint, collecting 16 rebounds while also scoring nine points on 4-of-8 shooting. It was her third game in a row recording 16 or more rebounds. Pitts also added nine points, including sealing the historic victory for the Mustangs at the line.
After missing the last five games
Ella Brow returned to the floor and played 15 minutes, while
Chantae Embry added six rebounds including four on the offensive end.
// NEXT GAME
vs California | Sunday, Jan. 5 | David B. Miller Court at Moody Coliseum | 5:00 pm CT | TV: ACCN | Radio: SMU App (
Google Play |
Apple App Store)
// NOTES
- Starters: #1 Zanai Jones (G, Gs.), #3 Nya Robertson (G, Jr.), #2 TK Pitts (G, Jr.), #33 Chantae Embry (F, Sr.), #35 Jessica Peterson (C, Sr.)- 12th game this season with this lineup
- SMU ended the game with 17 offensive rebounds and has had over 12 offensive rebounds in the past 10 games. The team has achieved the feat in 12 of the 13 games played this season. The Mustangs entered the game first in the ACC in offensive rebounds a game.
- First-ever ACC victory
- SMU is now 7-1 at home this season and has now won six in a row inside Moody Coliseum.
- SMU is now 1-1 all-time versus Stanford.
// ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Zanai Jones (#1 G, Gs)
- 20 points, 9-15 FG, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
- Career-high in points
- Tied career-high in blocks
- 15 career double-figure scoring game
- TK Pitts (#2 G, Jr.)
- 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4-6 FG
- Nya Robertson (#3 G, Jr.)
- 21 points, 8-24 FG, 4-9 FG
- Scored in double figures for the 21st game in a row dating back to last season
- 55th career game scoring in double figures
- 7th game this season with 20 points scored
- 26th career 20-point game
- 4th game this season with 4 three-pointers made
- Jessica Peterson (#35 C, Sr.)
- 9 points, 16 rebounds, 4-8 FG,
- Entered the game third in the NCAA in rebounds per game
- 10th game this season in double-figure rebounding