Dec. 3, 2016

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (SMU) — SMU's comeback effort falls short in 64-49 loss at New Mexico Saturday afternoon at the WisePies Arena – The Pit.

The Mustangs (5-3) were led by Alicia Froling and McKenzie Adams, who finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

SMU got off to a rough start with the Lobos opening the game on a 10-2 run and trailing by 10 (21-11) after the first quarter.

However, the Mustangs cut the lead to single digits early in second quarter on back-to-back baskets from Mikayla Reese and Froling to cut the Lobos lead to seven (23-16). New Mexico (3-4) pushed the lead back to double-digits after going on a 12-6 run to end the first half.

SMU continued to fight in the second half and again cut the deficit to single digits on a transition 3-pointer from Morgan Bolton that got the Mustangs within eight (41-33) with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter. The Mustangs had a tough time getting stops as the Lobos went on a 12-6 run heading into the fourth. New Mexico's Cherise Beynon had five of her game-high 32 points in that stretch, including a 3-pointer that gave the Lobos a 52-39 lead.

The Mustangs was within striking distance early in the 4th quarter after Kiara Perry knocked down two free throws to cut the deficit to 11 (52-41), but the Lobos 1-3-1 zone defense made it difficult for SMU to get back into the game.

Perry finished with seven points and nine rebounds, while Dai'ja Thomas added six points and nine rebounds for SMU.

The Mustangs return to the Hilltop to face No. 25/19 Texas A&M at Moody Coliseum Monday at 7 p.m.

Game Notes:

• McKenzie Adams has scored in double figures in six of the last seven games.
• The Mustangs shot 92.3 percent from the free throw line hitting 12-of-13.
• Alicia Froling has finished in double figures in scoring in all eight games this season.
• Stephanie Collins recorded one block and now has 100 blocks in her career, which ranks sixth in program history.
• SMU is now 2-4 all-time against New Mexico (H: 1-1, A: 0-3, N: 1-0)