Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball program closed out its week in Nashville, defeating Winthrop 84-61 in the team's final game of the Music City Classic on Wednesday.
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Tyi Skinner led the way for the Mustangs, scoring a game-high 27 points as SMU (2-5, 0-0 ACC) used a dominant second-half performance that included a 26-point third quarter to grab control of the game and end a five-game losing streak.

SMU shot a season-high 55% from the floor en route to the 23-point victory. The Mustangs hit nine three-pointers and were 13-19 from the line. After only leading by three at the half, SMU scored 49 points in the second half, shooting 61% and recording 10 assists to close out the game against Winthrop (4-4, 0-0 Big South).

SMU defense forced 22 turnovers and scored 30 points off them, as Kyla Deck had a team-high six steals for the second time this season.

Skinner knocked down five three-pointers (5-of-8) and shot 8-of-12 from the floor to record her 34^th career 20-point game. Skinner was also a perfect 6-of-6 from the line and finished with a plus-minus of +24. She scored 14 of her season-high point total in the first half.

Not to be outdone, Zahra King turned in an elite shooting performance, going 8-for-8 from the field, tying her career high for makes, and finishing with 18 points.

Deck scored 12 points, shooting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, but her main contribution to the game came on defense with her six steals, four of which came in the second half to seal the victory for the Mustangs. Deck also finished the game with a plus-minus of +21.

It was a back-and-forth first half that saw SMU lead by three at the break (35-32) as Skinner had 14 points and King had nine.

The Mustangs opened the floodgates to start the second half, going on an 11-0 run and grabbing control of the game. The run began with Skinner's fourth three-pointer of the game and was capped off with a Grace Hall three-pointer. Hall finished the game with a team-high five rebounds and three assists.

SMU followed that run with another 7-0 run that once again started with a Skinner three. SMU outscored Winthrop 26-14 in the third and led 61-46 heading to the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs didn't let up in the fourth quarter, scoring 23 points and keeping Winthrop out of reach. Paulina Paris had five points in the fourth as four other Mustangs added four points in the period to help SMU cruise to the victory.
 
// UP NEXT
The Mustangs kick off a four-game homestand after the Thanksgiving break, hosting Southern Miss on Monday, December 1. The game will tip off at 6:30 pm inside Moody Coliseum and air on ACCNX. The Mustangs will play four games in 10 days, starting with Southern Miss and followed by Arkansas (Dec. 4), Syracuse (Dec.7) and Coppin State (Dec. 10).
// OTHER NOTES

• In her first season at SMU, head coach Adia Barnes is now 2-5 and 171-119 overall in her career (10^th season)
• SMU is now 1-1 in neutral site games this season.
• Wednesday's game was the first meeting between the two programs.

// STEALS / TURNOVERS

• SMU ended the game with 10 steals.
  • SMU entered the game ranked 2nd in the ACC in steals per game (12.3)
    • SMU has recorded double-digit steals in six of its seven games this season.
    • Kyla Deck had 6 steals and now has 27 steals this season. She entered the game 2^nd in the ACC in steals per game (3.5). 
• SMU forced 23 turnovers.
  • Third time in the last four games forcing 20 or more turnovers.
  • SMU has now forced 140 turnovers this season
    • Entered the game fifth in the ACC in turnovers forced per game (19.7).

// BLOCKS

• SMU had 4 blocks
  • Grace Hall led SMU with three.
  • Mustangs entered the game 4^th in ACC / 39^th in the NCAA in blocked shots (5.0).

// RUNS

• SMU had an 11-0 run at 7:42 in the third quarter
  • It was the team's fourth 10-0 or more scoring run this season.

 
// OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS

• SMU had 10 offensive rebounds
  • SMU entered the game 3^rd in the ACC / 28^th in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (16.5)

//EFFICIENT OFFENSE

• SMU shot 55% from the field
  • It was the highest shooting percentage in a game since the team shot 56.3% against Alabama State on 11/11/23
  • Zahra King was 8-8 (100%) shooting. Entered the game 10^th in the ACC in field goal percentage (50.0%).

// BENCH POINTS

• SMU had 20 bench points
  • Entered the game 3^rd in the ACC in bench points (30.2).

// STARTERS  
Starters: Tyi Skinner (#3, G, Gr.), Zahra King (#2, G, So.), Kyla Deck (12, G, Sr.), Ayanna Thompson(#1, G, Sr.) Grace Hall (#7, F, R-Sr.)