PonyFans.com VIDEO: Rhonda Rompola after SMU knocks off UNT

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SMU women's basketball head coach Rhonda Rompola met with PonyFans.com after the Mustangs knocked off North Texas, 62-55, at Moody Coliseum behind a double-double by Kiara Perry and a season-high 15 points from Gabrielle Wilkins.

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From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Drop North Texas, 62-55
Wilkins' 15 Points Leads SMU

Dec. 3, 2014

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU women’s basketball team moved above .500 with a 62-55 win over North Texas on Wednesday night at Moody Coliseum.

SMU has now defeated their in-state rival in eight of their last nine matchups.

“I told our team, when you play a cross-town rival, you throw out the records,” said head coach Rhonda Rompola. “It’s for bragging rights. We know players on their team and they know players on our team. So, you have to bring your A game.”

SMU (4-3) made life miserable for North Texas (0-5) on the offensive end of the floor, as the Mean Green shot just 31.8 percent from the floor and had 19 turnovers. Freshman forward Alicia Froling posted a season-high four blocks and added three steals. Guards Kiara Perry and Gabrielle Wilkins also notched three steals.

On the offensive end, Wilkins paced the Mustangs with 15 points.

“We needed her tonight,” said Rompola said of Wilkins. “She was a spark. She’s a very entertaining player. You can’t beat her hustle.”

Perry recorded her second career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and A. Froling chipped in with 14 points and eight boards.

The Mustangs carried a 30-29 lead into halftime after shooting 43.3 percent from the field in the opening segment. A. Froling paced SMU, scoring 11 of her 14 points in the first half before getting in foul trouble in the second half.

SMU used a quick 5-0 burst in the first two minutes after the break to build a six-point lead early in the second half, but North Texas would not go away.

The Mean Green’s Briesha Wynn posted a game-high 17 points and Eboniey Jeter added 10.

However, down the stretch, efficient free throw shooting and stingy defense by the Mustangs thwarted any North Texas comeback attempt, as SMU held on for the 62-55 victory.

“I thought North Texas played a heck of a game,” said Rompola. “I just want to see us play more as a team.”

PLAY OF THE GAME
Sophomore guard Morgan Bolton drained a three to put SMU ahead, 45-44, with 9:09 left in the game. The Mustangs would not trail for the remainder of the game.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I like Gabby Wilkins’ fire right now. She’s got a fire.” –head coach Rhonda Rompola

TIP-INS
-SMU is now 4-2 at Moody Coliseum this season. The Mustangs went 11-4 on their home court a season ago.
-The Mustangs have held their opponents under 40 percent shooting in all seven games this season. Tonight, North Texas shot just 31.8 percent from the field.
-After missing the first two games of the season, Wilkins has scored at least nine points in all five games since.
-Perry’s double-double was the second of her career. Her first came against Rutgers last year on Jan. 11 (10 points and 10 rebounds).
-A. Froling’s four blocks were a season-high for SMU. The Queensland, Australia, native now has seven blocks in her last two games.
-Three Mustangs, Perry, Wilkins and A. Froling, each recorded three steals.

UP NEXT
The Mustangs head to Tempe, Arizona, for a showdown with Arizona State on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. CT.

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Alicia Froling had more blocked shots (4) than the SMU team's highest single-game total (3) going into Wednesday's game.