The Mustangs seek a strong finish in ACC finale as Zahra King headlines a defensive-minded group in Berkeley.
SMU women’s basketball wraps up its 50th season Sunday afternoon with a road test at California, closing the regular season inside Haas Pavilion in a 4 p.m. CT tip.
While the Mustangs won’t be headed to the ACC Tournament, there’s still pride - and progress - on the line for head coach Adia Barnes’ group.
At the center of it all is Zahra King.
The sophomore guard has been SMU’s steady force all year, pouring in 424 total points and averaging 14.6 per game - good for 10th in the ACC.
In conference play, she’s been even better, bumping that number to over 16 per night. King is shooting 44 percent from the floor and nearly 40 percent from 3-point range, numbers that rank among the most efficient guards in the league.
And when she gets hot, she erupts.
Her 40-point explosion against Pitt earlier this season put her in rare company in program and ACC history. She’s recorded 19 double-digit games and five 20-point performances in league action alone.
But SMU’s identity hasn’t just been scoring.
The Mustangs rank near the top of the ACC in steals (10.3 per game) and blocks (4.4 per game), forcing nearly 17 turnovers a night.
Anaya Brown has anchored the defense with 41 blocks, ranking among the ACC’s best rim protectors. Grace Hall isn’t far behind with 38 swats, giving SMU two players inside the conference’s top 10 in blocks.
Ayanna Thompson has also surged late, scoring in double figures in four straight games and knocking down five threes in the win over Pitt.
The Mustangs have connected on 179 three-pointers this season - their most since 2009-10 - and have topped 40 percent from beyond the arc in 10 games.
California enters at 12-4 at home and features a balanced scoring attack led by Gabby Elliott and McKinna Brackens.
But SMU has historically played well in Berkeley, winning its last two games inside Haas Pavilion.
For a team that battled injuries and roster turnover all year, Sunday represents one final chance to show growth in year two of ACC competition.
Win or lose, SMU women’s basketball heads into the offseason with a foundation - and a star - firmly in place.