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Raquel Christian set a new SMU record with 8 3-pointers and scored 32 points overall to help SMU beat UTEP, 70-64, in El Paso. She came up huge, especially since Delisha Wills didn't even play (something about a shoulder — she just can't get healthy this year). Considering the C-USA tournament is going to be played out there in a couple of weeks, getting a win there now is big. We've had an up-and-down season, but it would be cool if this game can jump-start a strong finish to the season.
Go Ponies!

From SMUMustangs.com:

Christian Sets School Record With Eight 3's As SMU Defeats UTEP 70-64
Christian scored career-high 32 points to lead the Mustangs to the season sweep of the Miners

Feb. 27, 2011

EL PASO, Texas - Raquel Christian set an SMU single-game record with eight 3-point field goals to score a career-high 32 points and lead the Mustangs to a 70-64 victory over UTEP in the Don Haskins Center Sunday afternoon.

SMU improved to 14-14, 7-8 in Conference USA, after completing the regular season sweep of the Miners, who fell to 14-13, 6-9 C-USA.

Christian went 11-for-16 from the field, 8-of-12 from behind the arc. Her 32 points is the 10th most in a game in program history. Andrea Cossey set the previous single-game record with seven 3-point field goals against Hawaii on Feb. 14, 2004.

SMU led 29-27 at halftime, but stretched the lead to eight early in the second half. The Mustangs largest lead was nine points with less than two minutes left in the game. Christian scored 22 of her 32 points in the second half, connecting on 5-of-7 3-point attempts in the second period.

The game went down to the final seconds as UTEP cut the lead to three with 22 seconds left. Samantha Mahnesmith made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 20 seconds to preserve the win.

The Mustangs got off to a quick start against the Miners, erasing an early four-point deficit with an 8-0 run to take a four-point lead themselves. Neither team led by more than four points in the first half, with both teams shooting above 30-percent.

SMU went 9-for-26 (34.6-percent) in the first half, including 5-of-13 (38.5-percent) from behind the arc, and went 6-for-7 from the free throw line. UTEP was 10-of-30 (33.3-percent), but the league's leading 3-point shooting team made just 3-of-8 from long range.

The Mustangs finished the game shooting 46.2-percent (24-of-52), making 12-of-22 shots from behind the arc. Mahnesmith scored 13 points, going 3-of-6 from the field and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe, and Haley Day reached double figures for the third-straight game with 10 points, 4-of-8 from the field.

The Miners went 25-for-61 (41.0-percent) from the field, hitting 5-of-12 shots from 3-point range. Gloria Brown led UTEP with 12 points. Kayla Thornton added 11, while Erika Warren scored 10.

SMU will close out the regular season Thursday, March 3, against Rice at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs will celebrate Senior Day prior to the game.

The women have been disappointing this year. Do not know the reason. Team seems to play hard the times I have seen them. I guess injuries and some youth in key positions have hampered us as well as one transfer deciding not to play and one who has not played. Hopefully, this win is a good sign.

To think: I almost didn't make it to the game (car issue).

Christian's performance was nothing short of amazing. I had never seen her play in person before, but she was on fire all day. Sometimes you see someone score a lot of points or hit a lot of 3s, but she also was efficient (didn't realize just how efficient until reading the release here. Thanks.) When I realized Delisha Willis wasn't playing, I admit I worried about our chances, because El Paso is a tough place for road teams. I couldn't have been more impressed by the Mustangs.

Can't wait for the C-USA tournament!