King's clutch scoring and Thompson's deep threes powered SMU's dramatic comeback, securing a thrilling one-point victory against Pitt.
SMU women’s basketball survived a furious rally Sunday afternoon, edging Pittsburgh 79-78 in a dramatic ACC showdown at Moody Coliseum.
The Mustangs (9-17, 2-12 ACC) looked in control for much of the day after building a commanding halftime advantage, but Pitt (8-19, 1-13 ACC) stormed back in the fourth quarter to make it a nail-biter.
The Panthers opened the final period on a 13-0 run, slicing the deficit to a single possession and shifting the pressure squarely onto SMU.
That’s when Zahra King and Ayanna Thompson delivered.
King, who has been one of the most consistent scorers in the ACC this season, poured in 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting. The junior guard added five rebounds and three assists, and her clutch free throws in the closing seconds helped seal the win.
It marked her fifth 20-point performance of the season and another statement outing for a player who entered the game ranked among the conference leaders in scoring and field goal percentage.
Thompson provided the spark from beyond the arc. The sophomore knocked down a career-high five 3-pointers, finishing with 15 points while shooting a blistering 71.4 percent from deep.
She also dished out a career-best six assists, showcasing her all-around impact. Her late 3-pointer in the fourth quarter proved pivotal as SMU and Pitt traded baskets down the stretch.
As a team, SMU connected on 11 3-pointers - tied for its season high - and shot 43.1 percent from the field. The Mustangs shared the ball effectively, recording 18 assists on 28 made field goals.
Sahnya Jah added 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Miriam Ibezim chipped in 10 points and six boards to give SMU four players in double figures.
Jah set the tone early with an 8-2 opening run that included a 3-pointer, helping the Mustangs jump out to an early double-digit lead.
Defense also played a major role. SMU forced 14 turnovers and turned them into 19 points. The Mustangs swiped 10 steals - continuing a season-long trend that ranks them among the ACC leaders - and matched a season high with eight blocks. Anaya Brown anchored the interior with four blocks, tying her season best.
In her first season at SMU, head coach Adia Barnes continues to see growth from her squad, especially in high-pressure moments.
The Mustangs will look to build on the momentum when they host Boston College later this week, aiming to turn a gritty ACC victory into a late-season surge.