DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball team earned a hard-fought 57-49 victory over Coppin State inside Moody Coliseum on Wednesday.

After jumping out to a 20-8 first-quarter lead, SMU (5-6, 0-1 ACC) found itself in a late-game battle after Coppin State (2-9, 0-0 MEAC) battled all the way back, but key fourth-quarter stops and some timely buckets allowed SMU to regain control of the game and hold on for the victory. The Mustangs made five of their last seven field goal attempts while holding Coppin State to 1-of-8 to seal the win.
 
With both teams making the same number of field goals in the game (19), SMU's advantage at the foul line, making 15-of-21, to CSU's 7-of-12, proved to be a difference in the game. The Mustangs forced 24 turnovers, tying their season high, and had 13 steals, their eighth game with 10 or more steals this season.

Sahnya Jah led all scorers with 16 points, her third game in a row scoring double-digits. Jah scored 11 points in the first quarter and finished the game 6-of-8 from the line.  

Kyla Deck scored six huge fourth-quarter points to ice the game for SMU. Deck finished the night with 10 points, leading the team with five steals, her fourth game with five or more steals this season. Deck knocked down two three-pointers and led the Mustangs with four assists. The Frisco native on ball defense played a pivotal role in SMU holding on for the win.

Also reaching double-figures was Paulina Paris, who was 3-of-7 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the line. Paris knocked down a timely three-pointer in the fourth quarter, stepping up for the Mustangs. Miriam Ibezim scored five points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, including three in the fourth quarter.

SMU began the game on a 7-2 run with five points from Paris before Jah took over and scored seven straight points as SMU closed the quarter on a 9-0 run to lead 20-8 at the end of the first period. Jah was 4-of-6 from the field and scored 11 of SMU's 20 points.

The Mustangs cooled down in the second period as the Eagles outscored SMU 14-11 in the frame. Jzaniya Harriel helped keep SMU at arm's reach, scoring six points in the quarter as SMU led by nine at the half. The Mustangs forced 13 turnovers in the half.

Coppin State came out of the half determined to get back in the game as the Eagles went on a 9-0 run to start the quarter and tied the game at 33 apiece with 4:51 left in the period. Led by Deck, the Mustangs went on a 15-2 run that ended the third and carried over into the fourth quarter, pushing the lead back to 12.

SMU buckled down on defense in the fourth quarter, holding CSU to just 23.5% from the field, and held on for the nine-point victory.

// UP NEXT
The Mustangs will be back in action on Friday, December 19, traveling south to face Sam Houston at 5 p.m. CT in Huntsville, Texas. The game will air on ESPN+ and fans can also listen to the game on the SMU Mobile App. SMU returns to Moody Coliseum on Sunday, December 21, to close out its non-conference slate against Southern at 4 p.m. CT on ACCNX.  

// OTHER NOTES

• In her first season at SMU, head coach Adia Barnes is now 5-6 and 174-120 overall in her career (10^th season)
• SMU is now 4-3 in home games this season.

// STEALS / TURNOVERS

• SMU ended the game with 13 steals.
  • SMU entered the game ranked 4th in the ACC in steals per game (11.1)
  • It was the Mustangs eighth game this season with 10 or more steals
    • Kyla Deck had five steals and now has 42 steals this season. She entered the game 3^rd in the ACC/11^th in the NCAA  in steals per game (3.7) and 3^rd in the ACC / 14^th in the NCAA in total steals.
• SMU forced 24 turnovers, tied season high.
  • SMU has now forced 211 turnovers this season
    • Entered the game 5^th in the ACC in turnovers forced per game (18.7).

// BLOCKS

• SMU had 5 blocks
  • Anaya Brown had 2 and entered the game 5^th in the ACC in blocks per game (1.5)
  • SMU has now recorded 55 blocks this season. Mustangs entered the game 4^th in ACC / 29^th in the NCAA in blocked shots per game (5.0).

// OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS

• SMU had 11 offensive rebounds
  • SMU entered the game 4^th in the ACC / 54^th  in the NACC in offensive rebounds per game (14.5)

// BENCH POINTS

• SMU had 13 bench points
  • Entered the game 4^th in the ACC in bench points (29.0).

// STARTERS  
Starters: Paulina Paris (#23, G, Sr.), Zahra King (#2, G, So.), Kyla Deck (12, G, Sr.), Ayanna Thompson(#1, G, Sr.) Sahnya Jah (#11, F, Jr.)