Last-Second Jumper Lifts Mustangs Over UNLV, 56-55

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Last-Second Jumper Lifts Mustangs Over UNLV, 56-55
Mahnesmith scored with 5.4 seconds left to give SMU the win

LAS VEGAS - Samantha Mahnesmith hit a 15-foot shot with 5.4 seconds left in the game to give SMU a 56-55 win over UNLV to close out the BTI Classic in Las Vegas. SMU improved to 6-5 with the victory, while UNLV fell to 5-6.

The Mustangs trailed by eight points with 4:48 left in the second half, but battled back to within one point on a pair of free throws by Christine Elliott (Wichita, Kan.). SMU came away with the rebound on a missed shot by UNLV with 23 seconds left and SMU took a timeout. Delisha Wills (Mesquite, Texas) missed a contested layup, but Elliott came away with the rebound and found Mahnesmith (Kennedale, Texas) for the win.

"We haven't found a way to finish games, so this is a good win for us going into the break," head coach Rhonda Rompola said. "It was a game of runs. Both teams were tired, but it was about who had more mental toughness. We found a way to win."

The offensive struggles in the Thomas and Mack Center continued for the Mustangs, who connected on just three shots over the first nine minutes against UNLV. The cold spell allowed the Lady Rebels to open a 17-8 lead with 10:52 left, but the Mustangs rallied to tie the game 17-17 with 4:49 left until the break.

Just over a minute later, SMU gained its first lead of the game, 22-19, on a 3-pointer by Mahnesmith. The lead didn't last long as UNLV out-scored SMU 14-2 to push the lead back to nine before Mahnesmith knocked down a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded to cut the score to 33-27 at halftime.

Mahnesmith finished the game with 11 points, going 4-of-14 from the field with three 3-pointers, but it was her effort on the defensive end that was crucial for the victory. Kelli Thompson came into the game averaging over 15 points per game and the Mustangs held her to just two points.

"Sam was great the last two days defending their best shooters, but sometimes the defensive intensity takes away from her offense," Rompola stated.

Freshman Akil Simpson (Duncanville, Texas) hit double digits for the second time in the tournament, scoring 10. Elliott finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.

The Mustangs finished the game shooting 33.9-percent, but connected on 12-of-14 attempts from the charity stripe. After allowing the Lady Rebels to shoot 46.4-percent in the first half, SMU held UNLV to 25.0-percent from the field in the second half to earn the victory.

SMU will return to action on Jan. 3, taking on Wake Forest in Winston Salem, N.C., at 6 p.m. CT.

[smupony94]

Congrats ladies. I have to admit I turned off game being a nervous Nelly. Way to prove me wrong.