Georgia Tech

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Georgia Tech

1/4/2026 | 3 p.m. CT


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Jan. 04 (Sun) / 3 p.m. CT


 Georgia Tech

LOUISVILLE, Ky.  (SMU) – Paulina Paris led the SMU women’s basketball program, scoring 20 points in the team’s New Year’s Day game at No. 13/13 Louisville, but the Mustangs fell 91-58 on Thursday inside the KFC Yum! Center.

After a close first quarter SMU (7-8, 0-3 ACC) battled hard but was unable to keep pace with the 13th-ranked team in the nation as Louisville (13-3, 3-0 ACC) scored over 20 points in each of the final three quarters to walk away with the Victory.

SMU shot the ball well, shooting 43.8% in the game, but turned the ball over 24 times, giving the Cardinals more chances, as the team scored 22 points off turnovers. Louisville also scored 21 points on second-chance opportunities in the game. The Mustangs were 7-of-18 from three-point range and 9-of-13 from the line, but it was not enough to keep pace with Louisville.

Paulina Paris recorded her first 20-point game as a Mustang and the fourth of her career. Paris finished with 20 points, shooting 8-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-7 from three-point range, a season high in made three-pointers. She also led SMU in assists with three and collected two rebounds.

Zahra King and Sahnya Jah each added nine points. Ayanna Thompson scored six points and had a team-high five rebounds. Jzaniya Harriel finished the game with six points and was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Louisville started the game on fire, scoring on its first six possessions, while SMU went 4-of-4 from the line to keep pace. The Mustangs went on a 6-0 run late in the quarter to tie the game at 14 as Jah scored twice during the run. Louisville ended the quarter on a 5-0 run. Jah and Brown each had four points in the first.

Paris hit a three-pointer to start the second for SMU, but Louisville responded with a 14-0 run. Pairs hit her second three to swing momentum back to the Mustangs.

After trading buckets, Louisville went on a 6-0 run late in the quarter as the lead continued to grow. SMU had 10 turnovers in the second quarter as Louisville outscored the Mustangs 27-13. Paris led SMU with eight points, shooting 3-of-5 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from downtown.

Louisville made three three-pointers to begin the second half as Pairs scored twice for the Mustangs during the stretch. The Cardinals continued to control the game, going on another 8-0 run. Harriel and Paris each hit a three as SMU went on a 7-0 run in the final second of the third.

The fourth quarter was more of the same as the Cardinals’ lead continued to grow. The Mustangs ended the game on a 9-0 run as Paris reached 20 points.

 

// UP NEXT

The Mustangs return to Moody Coliseum on Sunday, January 4, to take on Georgia Tech as ACC play continues. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and will air on ACCNX. Sunday’s game is also a red out as fans are encouraged to wear red. Fans will also be able to meet the team during a post-game autograph session at the main entrance to Moody Coliseum.

// OTHER NOTES


In her first season at SMU, head coach Adia Barnes is now 7-8 and 176-122 overall in her career (10th season).

// STEALS / TURNOVERS


SMU ended the game with 4 steals.

SMU entered the game ranked 3rd in the ACC / 43rd in the NCAA in steals per game (11.1)


SMU forced 11 turnovers

SMU has now forced 271 turnovers this season

Entered the game 5th in the ACC in turnovers forced per game (18.5).



// FREE THROWS


SMU was 9-13 from the line

Mustangs entered the game 5th in the ACC / 97th in the NCAA in free throw attempts per game (19.2) and 5th in the ACC in free throws made per game (13.3).

// THREE POINTERS


SMU was 7-18 from beyond the arc

It was SMU’s  5th game this season, making seven or more three pointers

// OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS


SMU had 3 offensive rebounds

SMU entered the game 7th in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (13.7)

// BENCH POINTS


SMU had 17 bench points

Entered the game 6th in the ACC / 50th in the NCAA in bench points (25.9).

// STARTERS  
Starters: Paulina Paris (#23, G, Sr.), Zahra King (#2, G, So.), Ayanna Thompson (1, G, Sr.), Miriam Ibezim (#33, G, R-Sr.) Grace Hall (#7, F, R-Sr.)
 
 
 
 
 
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