Mustangs fought hard, showing offensive prowess, but a blistering fourth-quarter Wake Forest rally stole the win despite SMU's best efforts.
SMU women’s basketball showed grit, growth, and fight on Thursday night inside Moody Coliseum, but a late surge by Wake Forest proved to be the difference in a 70-65 setback for the Mustangs.
In a game that swung momentum repeatedly, SMU carried a five-point lead into the fourth quarter before Wake Forest caught fire when it mattered most.
The Mustangs were in control entering the final period, but Wake Forest opened the quarter on an 8-0 run, and never fully looked back.
The Demon Deacons poured in 25 fourth-quarter points while shooting an eye-popping 62 percent in the final frame, flipping the game in just a few minutes.
SMU had chances late, but missed opportunities at the free-throw line and key defensive stops allowed Wake Forest to seal it in the closing seconds.
Despite the loss, SMU delivered one of its most efficient offensive performances of the season. The Mustangs shot 42.6 percent from the field, marking their 11th game this year shooting better than 40 percent.
They connected on 7-of-17 shots from beyond the arc and went 10-of-15 at the free-throw line. Wake Forest countered with 49 percent shooting overall and outscored SMU 32–28 in the paint, which ultimately tilted the balance.
Ayanna Thompson was the story offensively for SMU, turning in a career night with 17 points. She was nearly automatic when her number was called, knocking down 6-of-8 shots from the floor and 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
Thompson also contributed across the board with three assists and three steals, repeatedly giving the Mustangs a spark when they needed it most.
Zahra King continued her steady season with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting, marking her 16th double-figure scoring effort of the year.
Paulina Paris chipped in 10 points and hit two timely 3-pointers, while Anaya Brown controlled the glass with 11 rebounds to go along with eight points.
After a slow start by both teams, SMU found rhythm late in the first quarter and traded the lead through much of the first half. A strong third-quarter push, highlighted by a 9-0 SMU run, put the Mustangs in position to close. Wake Forest’s late execution, however, proved decisive.
SMU now turns the page quickly, heading to Durham on Sunday for a challenging road test against a ranked Duke squad.
While the result didn’t go their way, Thursday’s performance showed tangible progress ... and a group that’s still fighting to the final horn.