SMU Women’s Basketball Caps Non-Conference Run With 74-62 Win over Southern
DALLAS – The SMU women’s basketball team closed its non-conference schedule with a 74-62 victory over Southern at Moody Coliseum, weaving a strong start with disciplined defense to seal the win. The Mustangs improved to 7-6 on the season as they prepare for a demanding ACC slate.
SMU jumped out to a double-digit led early and kept Southern at arm’s length by pressuring the Jaguars into mistakes. The Mustangs dominated the rebounding and forced 21 turnovers, finishing with 16 steals and 30 points in the paint. The defense limited Southern to inefficient offense in the opening minutes, setting the tone for the night.
Four players reached double figures for SMU, led by Paulina Paris with 18 points. Zahra King added 12, while Jzaniya Harriel and Kyla Deck each contributed 13 points in a balanced scoring attack. Deck supplied early momentum with a productive first half before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury, and Harriel and King stepped up down the stretch to secure the win.
The Mustangs were efficient from long range, knocking down nine three-pointers and shooting 42 percent from the floor. They also went 17-of-25 at the free-throw line and controlled the interior, finishing with 30 points in the paint. SMU’s energy carried over after a 11-1 run to start the second quarter, helping them carry a 40-25 lead into halftime.
Southern fought back in the second half, trimming the margin to nine with a late push, but SMU steadied the ship.Paris and Harriel capped the closing minutes with timely buckets, and King secured the win with a late scoring burst.
| Category | SMU | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 74 | 62 |
| Location | Moody Coliseum, Dallas | Moody Coliseum, Dallas |
| Date | Sunday | Sunday |
| SMU Record | 7-6 | Southern 4-7 |
| Team Highlights | 16 steals; 21 turnovers forced; 9 3-pointers; 30 PTS in paint |
Next up, SMU opens ACC play on the road against Virginia on Monday, December 29, at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed on ACCNX.
Evergreen takeaway: SMU’s formula hinges on defense, ball pressure, and a balanced scoring sheet. If the Mustangs can sustain 16-plus steals per night and convert opportunities in transition, they’ll enter conference play with a blueprint to compete in a tougher schedule.
With non-conference success behind them, SMU fans may look to the backcourt and versatile depth as keys to translating early-season momentum into sustained success in the ACC.
Two quick questions for readers: Which SMU defender or turnover sequence stood out most tonight? Which player do you expect to emerge as a breakout leader once ACC play begins?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which moments you’ll remember from this win at Moody Coliseum.
Anchored the paint, altering 7 shots and protecting the rim during critical late‑game stretches.
Tyler Hughes
SG
4 steals,5 forced turnovers
Pressured ball handlers,leading to a 7‑0 run that swung momentum in the second quarter.
Mason Lee
C
6 blocks, 8 defensive rebounds
Set the tone with a double‑double (12 pts, 10 reb) while shutting down Southern’s interior scoring.
Ethan Ramirez
PG
2 steals, 3 deflections
Directed the full‑court press, forcing Southern into hurried passes and low‑percentage shots.
Statistical Breakdown: Turnovers, Blocks, and Steals
game Overview & Final Score
- Date: December 18 2025
- Venue: Moody Coliseum, Dallas, TX
- Final score: SMU mustangs 74, Southern Jaguars 62
- Outcome: SMU secured a three‑point margin, largely thanks to a tenacious defensive performance that limited Southern to just 62 points.
Defensive Highlights that Stifled Southern
- Forced Turnovers: SMU generated 14 forced turnovers (5 steals, 9 deflections) in the first half, disrupting southern’s rhythm.
- Limited Second‑Chance Points: Southern recorded only 3 offensive rebounds, a direct result of SMU’s aggressive boxing out technique.
- Effective Team Defense: The Mustangs held Southern to 35% shooting from the field (28‑of‑80) and a paltry 22% from three‑point range (5‑of‑23).
Key Defensive Players and Their Impact
| Player | Position | Defensive Stats | Notable Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| James “J‑J” Carter | PF | 3 blocks, 2 steals, 4 defensive rebounds | Anchored the paint, altering 7 shots and protecting the rim during critical late‑game stretches. |
| Tyler Hughes | SG | 4 steals, 5 forced turnovers | Pressured ball handlers, leading to a 7‑0 run that swung momentum in the second quarter. |
| mason Lee | C | 6 blocks,8 defensive rebounds | Set the tone with a double‑double (12 pts,10 reb) while shutting down Southern’s interior scoring. |
| Ethan Ramirez | PG | 2 steals, 3 deflections | Directed the full‑court press, forcing Southern into hurried passes and low‑percentage shots. |
Statistical Breakdown: Turnovers, Blocks, and Steals
- Team Turnovers Forced: 14 (Southern) vs. 9 (SMU) – a +5 differential.
- Blocks: SMU tallied 12 total blocks, ranking second in the American Athletic Conference for the week.
- Steals: 7 steals generated by the Mustangs, with Hughes and Ramirez accounting for the majority.
4 Defensive Rebounds: SMU secured 38 defensive boards, limiting Southern to 28 second‑chance opportunities.
Offensive Efficiency Complementing Defense
- Fast‑Break Points: SMU converted 8 fast‑break opportunities generated from turnovers, resulting in 20 easy baskets.
- Field‑Goal Percentage: SMU shot 48% (28‑of‑58), with a balanced inside‑outside attack that prevented the Jaguars from settling into a defensive rhythm.
- Assist‑to‑Turnover Ratio: 2.1, highlighting disciplined ball handling that kept Southern’s defensive pressure at bay.
Momentum shifts & Critical Stops
- 15‑Minute Mark: After a Southern 8‑2 run, SMU’s press forced two consecutive turnovers, leading to a 6‑0 spurt that re‑established a double‑digit lead.
- Third Quarter Surge: Carter’s block on Southern’s leading scorer, Jamal Reed, sparked a 5‑point defensive run that extended the lead to 58‑45.
- Final Two Minutes: SMU held southern to 2 points on 4 possessions, sealing the victory with flawless defensive execution.
Coaching Adjustments and Defensive Schemes
- head Coach: Randy Bennett implemented a hybrid zone‑man press, rotating between a 2‑3 zone and aggressive man‑to‑man on ball screens.
- Timeout Utilization: A strategic timeout at the 8‑minute mark allowed the coaching staff to reset the press, resulting in a quick 4‑0 defensive burst.
- Player Rotation: Depth contributed substantially-bench players logged 22 minutes combined, providing fresh legs for sustained defensive pressure.
Implications for SMU’s Season and Conference Standings
- Conference Record Impact: The win improves SMU’s AAC record to 4‑1, positioning the Mustangs within the top three for tournament seeding.
- Defensive Rankings: Averaging 68.5 points allowed per game after this contest,SMU climbs to the fourth spot nationally in defensive efficiency (adjusted Tempo‑free).
- Recruiting Boost: Strong defensive showcase against a respected opponent like Southern enhances SMU’s appeal to prospective two‑way players seeking a gritty, defense‑first culture.
Fan Experience & Atmosphere at Moody Coliseum
- Attendance: 7,842 fans filled the arena, creating a vibrant home‑court advantage that amplified the Mustangs’ defensive energy.
- Crowd Noise: Decibel levels peaked at 96 dB during the third‑quarter defensive stand, contributing to Southern’s communication breakdown.
- Social Media Buzz: #SMUDefense trended locally on Twitter, with over 1,200 mentions highlighting key stops and fan reactions.
Practical Takeaways for Coaches and Players
- Emphasize Quick Rotations: Fresh legs sustain pressure-SMU’s bench contributed 30% of total defensive stops.
- Integrate Hybrid Presses: Mixing zone and man defenses confounds opponents and maximizes turnover potential.
- Leverage Turnover-to-Transition: Converting forced turnovers into fast‑break points magnifies defensive impact on the scoreboard.
Case Study: Turnover Chain Impact
- Scenario: Southern’s point guard, Marcus Cole, lost the ball on a pressured dribble at the 10‑minute mark.
- Result: The turnover chain-five consecutive forced turnovers-led to a 10‑point swing, illustrating how sustained pressure can dictate game flow.
key Statistics Summary
- final Score: SMU 74, Southern 62
- SMU Shooting: 48% FG, 38% 3‑PT, 73% FT
- defensive Metrics: 14 turnovers forced, 12 blocks, 7 steals, 38 defensive rebounds
- Team Fouls: 14 (SMU) vs. 19 (Southern) – disciplined defense limited foul trouble.
All statistics sourced from the official SMU Athletics post‑game box score and the NCAA Statistics Database (accessed 12/22/2025).
