WBBALL DEFEATS UNT
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:25 pmFinal: SMU 85 UNT 72
Not always the prettiest performance, but a win nonetheless.
The Ponies fell behind a scrappy, desperate UNT team by about a dozen points in the first few minutes, but rallied to take a 43-36 lead at halftime. SMU's lead grew to more than 20 points during the second half before the Ponies methodically ran down the clock en route to their 13-point win.
SMU improved to 5-3, while UNT fell to 1-8. The Mustangs improved their advantage in the all-time series between the schools to 28-15, including a 20-4 advantage since 1990.
• Senior forward Delisha Wills had her second consecutive dominant performance, scoring a game-high 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and added one assist, one turnover, one blocked shot and a steal.
• Two other Ponies scored in double figures: junior post Christine Elliott scored 11 points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, while senior Haley Day had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.
• Freshmen Akil Simpson and Krystal Johnson added nine and seven points, respectively.
• Guards Alisha Filmore and Samantha Mahnesmith each had six points and four assists.
Talked to Delisha Wills after the game:
(On Mustangs' slow start)
We came out flat. We didn't come out with the energy we needed to, and it showed. They (UNT) came out hungry for a win. They were down a little, but they wanted the win, and they played like it.
They came out hard because it's a local rivalry. SMU, North Texas, TCU — we all look at a lot of the same kids. You want to beat someone where you wanted to go, or somewhere that recruited you. We (players) pay attention to that stuff. It's a big deal. Even if one team isn't good, you get up for a game like this, and they did.
(On her surgically repaired knee, which caused her to miss the 2009-10 season)
I feel good about the knee. I'm going to go out and go hard, regardless, because if something is going to happen (to the knee), it's going to happen.
Every week, you play, and especially in the (Hoops for the Cure) Tournament (Nov. 26-27), I really felt like I was getting my endurance back a little. My body is cooperating with what my mind is telling it to do.
(On emergence of guards Alicia Filmore and Samantha Mahnesmith)
They're getting better every day. They're shooting better this year, and once people start respecting them as shooters, that will open things up inside for Chris (Elliott) and me. If they slack off Fil and Sam, we can kick it back out to them, because we know they can knock down the outside shot.