RALEIGH, N.C. (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball program dropped its road ACC game on Sunday, falling 91-54 to (rv/rv) NC State inside the James T. Valvano Arena at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum.

SMU (7-10, 0-5 ACC), which has been dealing with injuries of late, was missing two key starters and unable to keep pace with NC State's (12-5, 5-1 ACC) offensive attack. The Wolfpack shot 55% from the floor, while SMU led the steal differential 10-7, the teams' 11^th game this season recording double-digit steals. Both teams went 8-22 from beyond the arc, but it was NC State's rebounding that proved to be the difference, leading 51-26 as the Wolfpack also scored 42 points in the paint.

Leading the way for SMU once again was Zahra King, who paced the Mustangs, scoring 22 points, one away from tying her career high. It was her second game in a row scoring over 20 points and her third this season. King shot 50% from the field (8-16), knocked down two three pointers and went a perfect 4-of-4 from the line.

Anaya Brown led SMU on the glass, hauling in a season high 10 rebounds while also adding six points from three-point range and had two blocks.

Jzaniya Harriel was also dialed in from downtown, going 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and had two assists in the game.

NC State started the game on an 8-0 run and set the tone for how the night was going to go. A King layup and three-pointer from Grace Hall got the Mustangs going on offense. NC State, which was picked to finish second in the ACC this season, flexed its muscles and went on a 10-0 run late in the quarter, which ended with a Paulina Paris bucket. Paris ended the game with six points while SMU was outscored 25-9 in the quarter.

The Wolfpack kept their foot on the gas with another 7-0 run to start the second. SMU answered with a 7-0 run of their own, highlighted by a Harriel three-pointer. Harriel made two from beyond the arc as both teams scored 15 points in the quarter, as the Mustangs trailed 40-24. The Mustangs held NCSU scoreless over the final 4:23 of the second quarter.

 King led SMU with eight points in the first half, shooting 50% from the field. NC State shot 50% from the floor in the first half, while both teams made four three pointers. SMU forced six steals in the half.

Another large run for NC State halfway through the third, 23-2, as the lead continued to grow for the Wolfpack. SMU did not make a field goal for over six minutes before Paris made a layup to end the quarter. NC State led 70-35 heading to the fourth.

It was more of the same in the fourth as SMU was just unable to get momentum on their side as the Wolfpack cruised to the win.

// UP NEXT
The Mustangs continue ACC play by returning to Dallas to face Virginia Tech on Thursday, January 15, inside Moody Coliseum. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT and air on ACCNX.
// OTHER NOTES

• In her first season at SMU, head coach Adia Barnes is now 7-10 and 176-124 overall in her career (10^th season).

// STEALS / TURNOVERS

• SMU ended the game with 10 steals, its 11^th game with double digit steals this season.
  • SMU entered the game ranked 3^rd in the ACC / 48^th in the NCAA in steals per game (10.9)
  • SMU has now totaled 184 steals this season.
    • Entered the game 4^th in the ACC in total steals.
• SMU forced 12 turnovers
  • SMU has now forced 303 turnovers this season
    • Entered the game 5^th in the ACC in turnovers forced per game (18.2).

// FREE THROWS

• SMU was 6-10 from the line
  • Mustangs entered the game 6^th in the ACC in free throw attempts per game (18.8) and 7^th in the ACC in free throws made per game (12.7).

// THREE POINTERS

• SMU was 8-22 from beyond the arc
  • It was the teams fourth game this season making eight or more three pointers.

// OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS

• SMU had 5 offensive rebounds
  • SMU entered the game 8^th in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (12.9)

// BENCH POINTS

• SMU had 13 bench points
  • Entered the game 6^th in the ACC / 70^th in the NCAA in bench points per game (24.1).

// BLOCKS

• SMU had 4 blocks
  • Entered the game 6^th in the ACC / 58^th in the NCAA in blocks per game (4.3)

// STARTERS  
Starters: Paulina Paris (#23, G, Sr.), Zahra King (#2, G, So.), Sahnya Jah (11, F, Jr.), Miriam Ibezim (#33, G, R-Sr.) Grace Hall (#7, F, R-Sr.)