WBB rally falls short at Wake Forest, 67-64

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Rally Late But Fall On The Road To Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (SMU) – The SMU women's basketball program had four players in double figures but could not complete its fourth-quarter comeback as the Mustangs fell on the road 67-64 to Wake Forest on Thursday inside LJMV Coliseum.

After trailing by double digits at the end of the first, SMU fought its way back into the game, getting within two late in the fourth quarter, but came up just short in the end. SMU shot 40% from the field and outrebounded Wake Forest 40-30. Wake shot 44% from the field and was 18-of-25 from the line and forced 16 turnovers.

Despite the loss, Jessica Peterson had a game to remember. She recorded her fifth straight double-double, ending her night with a season-high 17 points and 18 rebounds. She now has 14 double-doubles this season, which tied for first in the ACC.

With her 18 rebounds, she has now hauled in 337 this season, the second most in a single season in program history. She is only two away from breaking the SMU record of 339 set by Alicia Froling in 2017.

TK Pitts had a bounce-back game, finishing with 13 points, and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. She also recorded six rebounds and three assists.

Zanai Jones scored 10 points before fouling out with six minutes left in the game, and Kylie Marshall also scored 10 points, hitting two from beyond the arc.

The Mustangs are now 10-17 (2-13 ACC) overall, while Wake Forest improved to 9-17 (2-13 ACC).

Both teams scored efficiently to begin the game. Peterson led the charge for the Mustangs, scoring eight on 4-of-5 shooting in the first quarter. However, Wake was able to take control of the game and ended the period on a 10-0 run, going up 26-15.

SMU responded by starting the second quarter on a 6-0 with four points from Marshall. The Mustangs outscored the Demon Deacons 14-11 in the period as Jones had six points. Wake Forest held on to a nine-point lead at the half despite the Mustang getting within five in the quarter.

The Mustangs shot 44% from the field in the first but turned the ball over 12 times. Jones and Peterson led SMU with eight a-piece. Marshall chimed in seven points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting.

Both teams were trading buckets to begin the third, Marshall reached double figures after hitting her second three of the game. The Mustangs continued to fight and only trailed by seven at the end of the period.

SMU cut the lead to three after a pair of Pitts free throws, but Wake Forest pushed it back to double-digits after going on a 10-0 run. The Mustangs continued to fight and got within four after making four straight foul shots with 22 seconds left in the game.

The Mustangs forced another turnover and trailed only by two after a Donavia Hall layup. Wake Forest went to the line on the following possession and increased the lead to three. SMU could not connect on a game-tying three-point attempt to tie the game.

// NEXT GAME
at Boston College | Sunday, Feb. 23 | 1 p.m. CT | TV: ACCNX

// NOTES
Starters: #1 Zanai Jones (G, Gs.), #3 Nya Robertson (G, Jr.) #22 Kylie Marshall (G, (G, Fr.), #4 Kaysia Woods (F, Sr.), #35 Jessica Peterson (C, Sr.)-1st game this season with this lineup.
SMU is now 1-4 all-time versus Wake Forest

[ritarivas89]

One of the players posted that Robertson, our leading scorer, is out for the season. That’s 5 players out, 2 of whom are the top 2 scorers. I think they are down to 7 or 8 healthy bodies.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Got smoked by BC, losing streak.....12? Apologist have been making the injury excuses for this program, for at least 2 decades.

[Dukie]

Got smoked by BC, losing streak.....12? Apologist have been making the injury excuses for this program, for at least 2 decades.

I tend to agree. Everyone has injuries. It's year 4. There's been one winning season (in the American), and the trendline is terrible. I don't know if the money or the inclination is there but it should be time for a change.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Got smoked by BC, losing streak.....12? Apologist have been making the injury excuses for this program, for at least 2 decades.

I tend to agree. Everyone has injuries. It's year 4. There's been one winning season (in the American), and the trendline is terrible. I don't know if the money or the inclination is there but it should be time for a change.

Spanked again last night, 13 game losing streak.