Double-doubles by Froling, Thomas lift WBB in Mays' debut

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mays Wins Head Coaching Debut Behind Froling, Thomas Double-Doubles

Box Score DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball team opened the season with a win, beating Texas State, 64-56, Friday afternoon in Moody Coliseum. Travis Mays recorded his first career win as a head coach as junior Alicia Froling and sophomore Dai'ja Thomas posted double-doubles to lead the Mustangs to victory.

Mikayla Reese's three point shooting sparked the Mustangs' offensive attack in the second half. With SMU holding on to a two-point lead, 47-45, the junior knocked down her second 3-pointer of the quarter with 6:10 remaining in the game, extending the lead back to five points. After a Texas State layup, Reese hit another 3. The Bobcats never got within four points again.

The Mustangs outscored the Bobcats 17-16 in the third quarter, but it was a 41.2 fourth-quarter shooting percentage, allowing SMU to out-score Texas State 22-19, that led to the victory. SMU led 25-21 at halftime after holding Texas State scoreless from behind the arc on seven attempts in the second quarter.

The Mustangs (1-0) had eight different players score points, with three reaching double figures. Froling scored 15 points with 15 rebounds, both game highs, for her 20th career double-double. Reese finished with a career-high 11 points, making 3-of-5 from behind the three-point line.

Thomas also finished with 11 total points off the bench and grabbed 10 rebounds, giving the Mustangs multiple double-doubles in a game for the first time since Jan. 25, 2015. Junior Klara Bradshaw added eight points, going 4-for-4 at the free throw line, and grabbed nine rebounds in her first game as a Mustang.

After missing last season due to injury, junior guard Kiara Perry finished with seven points and grabbed six rebounds in her first game back on the Hilltop. Seniors Kamray Mickens and Amaura Brandt also added three points apiece. Mickens anchored the SMU defense with four of the team's 12 steals.

With the victory, SMU has now won five of its last six season openers. SMU scored 28 points off the bench, and the Mustangs outrebounded the Bobcats, 51-34.
SMU plays its next two games on the road, starting Wednesday at Kansas. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

SMU vs Texas State Notes:
Head coach Travis Mays secures first career win as head coach on the Hilltop
SMU has won five out of the last six season openers since the 2011-12 season
Alicia Froling posts 20th career double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds
Dai'ja Thomas grabs career-high 10 rebounds
Dai'ja Thomas records first career double-double on the Hilltop with 11 points and 10 rebounds
Mikayla Reese posts career high in points with 11, making a career-high three 3-point FGs
The last time two Mustangs posted a double-double in the same game: vs. UCF (1/25/15)