Facing No. 3 University of Tennessee on Friday at the Junkanoo Jam Tournament, Freeport, Bahamas, the Lady Mustangs were hoping to make a statement against a nationally ranked opponent.
Their hopes fell short however, as Tennessee cruised to a 87-47 victory in the championship round of the tournament.
Akil Simpson and Keena Mays combined for 23 points but couldn’t keep pace with Tennessee, which had four players in double-digits. Mays’ 12 point performance in the championship game was good enough to earn her all-tournament honors, while Simpson posted 11.
Tennessee was led by Ariel Massengale’s 16 points as the Lady Vols shot 46.6 percent from the field for the game. SMU was held to a season-low 26.3 percent from the field.
SMU managed to hold Tennessee to six field goals in the final 11 minutes but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Vols led 39-27. Tennessee expanded their halftime lead to 21 points in the first three minutes of the second half and had a commanding 30 point lead with 12:05 left in the game.
The Mustangs return to the Curtis Culwell Center for a home game against Southeastern Louisiana University Wednesday at 7 p.m. before four straight road games, including the first two American Athletic Conference games of the season.
