Ponies, Frogs clash Wednesday at Moody

[PonyPride]

From the SMU Daily Campus:

Mustangs go for lucky number 7
At 6-1 on the season, SMU hosts in-state rival TCU in hopes of establishing new winning streak

By: Dori Shockley, Associate Sports Editor, dshockley@smu.edu

Posted: 12/9/09

The SMU women's basketball team will tip off against its cross-town rival, the TCU Horned Frogs, tonight in Moody Coliseum at 7.

"It's a team that we throw out our records. … This game depends on who brings their game. I don't think either team is favored," Mustang head coach Rhonda Rompola said.

This will be the 54th time the two teams have competed since 1977. The Mustangs hold a strong edge in the rivalry, 40-13.

The Mustangs have won the previous two games between the teams, but this year TCU is considered to be an excellent shooting team with height in their favor over SMU.

The Mustangs will need to capitalize on outside shooting opportunities and will rely especially on the talent of junior Haley Day, who is shooting 47.6 percent from three-point range this season.

When comparing SMU and TCU, the two teams have very similar statistics thus far. SMU is currently 6-1 and TCU is 5-3. The Mustangs only loss this season was last month against Boston College. SMU has a scoring average of 75.4, while TCU has an average of 73.0 points.

According to Rompola, SMU has found success this season in their starting five players, and they hope to see some intensity from the players coming off the bench.

Rompola has also recently put more pressure on Raquel Christian to become more aggressive and "find her shot."

Sophomore Christine Elliot remains the Mustangs' top shooter with 101 points, while senior Brittany Gilliam, who has seen the most playing time this season with 213 minutes, has 98 points this season.

"She just needs to be more intense and take her game to the next level," Rompola said.

With such a storied rivalry between the two teams, the SMU versus TCU game will be intense and heated.

While this game has no trophy for the winner like the Iron Skillet and the Iron Spike, the match will still be just as important for both teams and schools.

Prior to losing to Boston College, the Mustangs were riding a six-game winning streak. With just one loss, SMU continued to receive votes in the ESPN/ USA Today poll, as they received six votes as of Dec. 7

[smupony94]

Go ladies

[FriscoPMG]

I'm sorry I can't make it to one of more the meaningful & competitive games that'll be played at Moody this year. Good luck ladies!

[abezontar]

What's the iron spike?

[CalallenStang]

What's the iron spike?

Volleyball trophy between SMU/TCU

[abezontar]

What's the iron spike?

Volleyball trophy between SMU/TCU

huh. When did that start?

[smupony94]

What's the iron spike?

Volleyball trophy between SMU/TCU

huh. When did that start?

Volleyball Edges Crosstown TCU In Inaugural Battle For The Iron Spike

Mustangs Take Victory In Thrilling Fifth Set


Dana Powell

Sept. 8, 2009

[mustangxc]

It looks like it is going to be a very tightly contested game! SMU up early 9-8. Trading the lead back and forth!

[PonyPower]

15-15

11:44 left in first half

[SmooBoy]

31-30 froggies at half

[SmooBoy]

Looks like we will be 0 for 3 against the toads this year. Ouch.

[StangBry]

Looks like we will be 0 for 3 against the toads this year. Ouch.

They are only down by 1.......???

[ponyscott]

How did the game end?

[CalallenStang]

2nd half we couldn't buy a basket or a call from the officials. Rhonda got a T. Got blown out.

[ponyscott]

2nd half we couldn't buy a basket or a call from the officials. Rhonda got a T. Got blown out.

Thanks and I just heard the interview just now with Rhonda on SMUMustangs.com....sounds like she was real disappointed with the effort of the girls tonight. No switching on D, no leadership from the seniors, couldn't penetrate the TCU Zone or their sagging man d either, etc.