VIDEO: Mays, Froling after WBB falls, 52-51, to No. 22 USF

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Drop Heartbreaker To No. 23/22 USF, 52-51

Jan. 25, 2017

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball team dropped another close conference game, falling 52-51 against No. 23 USF in Moody Coliseum Wednesday night. The Mustangs, 11-9 overall and 2-5 in the American Athletic Conference, have lost three conference games by a combined four points.

The SMU defense anchored the effort, holding the Bulls (16-3, 5-1 The American) nearly 25 points below their season average (75.2 ppg). The Mustangs forced USF into 18 turnovers, including eight steals, and SMU recorded eight blocks, three by sophomore Dai'ja Thomas.

With SMU trailing by three, 52-49, with 40.8 seconds remaining, Alicia Froling nailed two free throws to bring the Mustangs within one, 52-51. The Mustangs defense came through again, getting the ball back with a USF turnover, but McKenzie Adams' 3-point attempt in the final seconds came up just short.

The Bulls extended a one-point lead, 13-12, at the end of the first quarter with a 6-0 run to start the second quarter. The Mustangs answered with an 11-0 run, taking a 23-19 lead with 5:49 left in the first half. SMU held on for a three-point lead at halftime, 30-27, scoring 18 points in the second quarter, the most by either team in any quarter. SMU's lead was two after the third quarter, 43-41.

Froling finished with a team-high 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season and the 33rd of her career. The junior is one shy of matching the single-season record of 15 double-double set by Shasta Smothers-Johnson during the 1984-85 season. She also recorded four assists and two blocks. Collins finished with eight points, matching her season high, and posted two blocks. Adams also added eight points with four assists.

Kitija Laksa finished with 28 of USF's 52 points, going 10-of-26 from the field, and made three of the team's five 3-pointers. SMU out-shot the Bulls, 35.1 percent (20-of-57) to 32.3 percent (20-of-62), but the Mustangs managed just two field goals from behind the arc.

The Mustangs play at Tulsa Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN3 before returning to Moody Coliseum to host Memphis Tuesday at 7 p.m.

[Mustangs35SMU]

It's encouraging to see the Women's team turn things around. They might not be there fully yet, but definitely feels like they're moving in the right direction finally.

[SMUguy]

Definitely. They had a real chance to beat their second ranked team of the year Wednesday.
Definitely trending up.