DALLAS  (SMU) –  Zahra King scored 21 points as the SMU women's basketball team fell 67-59 to Georgia Tech on Sunday inside Moody Coliseum.

After erasing a 12-point deficit, SMU (7-9, 0-4 ACC) trailed only by one heading into the fourth quarter. Georgia Tech (7-9, 2-2 ACC) opened the fourth on a 13-0 run to push the lead back to double digits. The Mustangs fought hard the rest of the fourth quarter but were unable to regain the momentum and take the lead.

The Mustangs recorded 14 steals, forced 20 turnovers and scored 22 points off turnovers, which allowed SMU to get back into the game, but they were unable to close it out. SMU made five three-pointers and shot 37.7% from the floor. Georgia Tech scored 38 points in the paint and 29 points off turnovers while shooting 43.1% in the game. The Yellow Jacket's Talayah Walker scored a game-high 30 points.

King had her second 20-point game of the season, finishing with 21 points, going 8-of-16 on field goal attempts and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc in the game. She also recorded a career-high five steals and added two assists.  King was red hot in the first half, scoring 14 points and making two three-pointers. She led the charge in the third quarter to get SMU back in the game.

Grace Hall finished the game with 10 points, two blocks and five rebounds. It was her second game scoring double figures this season as she shot an efficient 4-of-7 from the field.

Paulina Paris reached double figures for the sixth game in a row as she ended the night with 12 points and a season high four assists. Pairs was 5-of-10 from the floor and hauled in five rebounds.  Eight of her 12 points came in the second half.

Both teams traded baskets early in the game, but Georgia Tech grabbed control and went on a 6-0 run before King answered with a three. King had eight points in the quarter as Georgia Tech led 16-12 after one.

Scoring came fast in the second quarter as GT pushed the lead to 11, but SMU answered with a 6-0 run of their own and cut the lead to five. Back-to-back turnovers late in the quarter from the Mustangs resulted in a 6-0 run for Georgia Tech, extending their lead once again. The Yellow Jackets led 37-29 at the break. King had 14 points.

The Mustangs came out of the half with a purpose, going on a 7-0 run, forcing Georgia Tech to call a timeout as the game was tied. After the fast start, both teams cooled down and had a hard time scoring the rest of the quarter. SMU outscored Georgia Tech 19-12 in the third and trailed by one heading to the fourth.
 
// UP NEXT
The Mustangs head back out on the road, taking a trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face NC State on Sunday, January 11, inside William Neal Reynolds Coliseum. The game will tip off at 5 p.m. CT and air on ACCN.
// OTHER NOTES

• In her first season at SMU, head coach Adia Barnes is now 7-9 and 176-123 overall in her career (10^th season).

// STEALS / TURNOVERS

• SMU ended the game with 14 steals.
  • SMU entered the game ranked 4^th in the ACC / 60^th in the NCAA in steals per game (10.7)
  • SMU has now totaled 174 steals this season.
    • Entered the game 4^th in the ACC in total steals.
• SMU forced 20 turnovers
  • SMU has now forced 291 turnovers this season
    • Entered the game 5^th in the ACC in turnovers forced per game (18.1).

// FREE THROWS

• SMU was 8-13 from the line
  • Mustangs entered the game 6^th in the ACC throw attempts per game (18.8) and 5^th in the ACC in free throws made per game (13.0).

// THREE POINTERS

• SMU was 5-16 from beyond the arc

// OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS

• SMU had 12 offensive rebounds
  • SMU entered the game 7^th in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (13.0)

// BENCH POINTS

• SMU had 6 bench points
  • Entered the game 6^th in the ACC / 65^th in the NCAA in bench points per game (25.3).

// 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.), Ayanna Thompson (1, G, Sr.), Miriam Ibezim (#33, G, R-Sr.) Grace Hall (#7, F, R-Sr.)