Box Score 
PHOENIX (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball program battled but dropped its road game against Grand Canyon 76-60 on Tuesday inside Global Credit Union Arena.

After falling behind early, SMU (1-3, 0-0 ACC) rallied in the second quarter and got within six in the final seconds of the period, but Grand Canyon (1-4, 0-0 Mountain West) used a 23-point third quarter to grab control of the game and the victory.

Zahra King led the Mustangs, scoring a career-high 19 points, shooting a career high 8-of-12 from the floor. King also tallied three steals.

The Mustangs scored a season high 42 points in the paint and forced a season high 24 turnovers and scored 24 points off them. SMU also recorded a season-high 16 steals as Anaya Brown, Tyi Skinner, King and Ayanna Thompson all had three steals.

GCU was 7-of-22 from beyond the arc and 21-of-26 from the line. The Antelopes also out-rebounded SMU 54-29.

Paulina Paris scored a season high 12 points, seven in the second quarter and went 5-6 from the line. Kyla Deck had a team-high three assists, and Miriam Ibezim and Brown led the team in rebounds with five.

Both teams traded buckets early to begin the game. SMU used a 5-0 run to even the score halfway into the quarter at seven. GCU ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to grab the early lead.

SMU scored four straight to start the second, but GCU took advantage of two technical fouls during a 12-0 run in the first half of the period to increase their lead. 

The Mustangs weathered the storm and went on an 11-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back buckets from Paulina Paris, and cut the lead to six before GCU ended the half on a four-point play.  
Paris and Zahra King led SMU with seven points each as the Mustangs trailed 34-24 at the half.

Both teams caught fire in the third quarter, trading buckets back and forth, but it was Grand Canyon who grabbed control of the game and went 7-of-7 on their final seven field goals to end the half and led 41-57.

King led the charge for the Mustangs in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of her 19 points as SMU totaled a game high 19 points in the period. However, GCU had an answer every time SMU scored and also totaled 19 points in the final quarter to hold on to the victory.
 
// UP NEXT
The Mustangs return to Moody Coliseum on Saturday, November 22, to face North Texas at 6 p.m. CT on ACCNX. Saturday's game is Defying Gravity Night. Fans can stop by the marketing table and pick up a black witch hat or a silver tiara as gameday giveaways. Fans will also have a chance to meet the team during a post-game autograph session.

// OTHER NOTES

• In her first season at SMU, head coach Adia Barnes is now 1-3 and 170-117 overall in her career (10^th season)
• SMU is now 0-2 on the road.
• The Mustangs are now 0-1 all-time against GCU. Tuesday's game was the first overall game between the two programs

// RUNS

• SMU had an 11-0 run at 0:14 in the second quarter
  • It was the team's third 10-0 or more scoring run this season.

// STEALS / TURNOVERS

• SMU ended the game with a season high 16 steals.
  • SMU has recorded double-digit steals in three of its four games this season.
  • Kyla Deck now has 14 steals this season. She entered the game 2^nd in the ACC in total steals.
• SMU entered the game ranked 3rd in the ACC in steals per game (11.3)
• SMU forced a season high 24 turnovers
  • The team has now forced 20 or more turnovers in three games this season.
  • SMU has now forced 74+ turnovers this season
    • Entered the game fifth in the ACC in turnovers forced per game (18.0).

// BLOCKS

• SMU had 6 blocks
• Anaya Brown led SMU with three.
• Mustangs entered the game 4^th in ACC in blocks per game (5.0)

// INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Starters: Tyi Skinner (#3, G, Gr.), Jzaniya Harriel (#21, G, Sr.), Kyla Deck (12, G, Sr.) Anaya Brown (#4, F, Sr.), Grace Hall (#7, F, R-Sr.) – 1^st game with this lineup this season.

Ayanna Thompson (#1, G, Sr.)

• 3 steals

Zahra King (#2, G, So.)

• 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting (both career highs)
• 1 assists
• 3 steals

  Tyi Skinner (#3, G, Gr.)

• 8 points, 4-13 FG
• 2 assists

 
Anaya Brown (#4, F, Sr.)

• 3 blocks
• 5 rebounds
• 3 steals

Grace Hall (7, F, R-Sr.)

• 4 rebounds

Kyla Deck (#12, G, Sr.)

• 4 Points
• 3 assists
• 1 steals

Jzaniya Harriel (#21, G, Sr.)

• 9 points
• 3-4 FT
• 4 rebounds

Paulina Paris (#23, G, Sr.)

• 12 points – season high
• 3-7 FG
• 6-8 FT