The SMU Women’s Basketball Team kicked off their 2018 season with an exhibition facing Lubbock Christian University. The Mustang roster is much younger this year, bringing freshman talents Paige Bayliss and JaQuia White immediately into the starting lineup. The Mustangs look to the sole senior, Alicia Froling, for her experience on the court.

SMU vs. LMU @ 2pm. Let’s get after it! #ponyup pic.twitter.com/0TEXSASe09

— SMU Women's Basketball (@SMUWBB) October 28, 2018

Froling got the first bucket of the season and didn’t look back, notching a team-high in points while making impressive plays down the stretch. Lubbock Christian came out firing early, taking threes on nearly every possession propelling them to an eight-point lead to end the first quarter. The team was 5-13 from deep in the first, shooting nearly 40% from downtown. The Mustangs’ inability to defend the perimeter resulted in an early deficit.

The Mustangs stormed back, starting the second quarter on a 9-2 run, but the piling of turnovers kept them chasing from behind. The team accumulated nine turnovers by the half, leading to transition buckets and extra possessions.

Starting the second half down only seven, the Mustangs looked to even the score, but free throw woes and subpar perimeter defense had them going into the final quarter of play down double digits. The LCU Chaparrals proved too much for SMU in this one, beating the Mustangs 62-51. The Mustangs finished the game with 21 turnovers and were not able to come back against the stellar shooting performance of LCU.

The Mustangs now look to their official season opener against Louisiana-Monroe on November 9 to redeem a tough exhibition loss. Tip off is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.