(Taylor Martin/The Daily Campus)

The Mustangs started off the Conference USA Women’s Basketball Tournament on the right foot Wednesday, taking down No.7 Marshall, 53-52.

SMU trailed for the majority of the first half. Marshall led by seven twice in the first frame. They were behind 24-27 at the half, after an Akil Simpson layup right before the break. In the first three minutes of the second half, the Stangs went on a 7-2 run to put the score at 31-29. The lead, which grew to seven points three times, was not given up for the rest of the game.

A jumper, layup and basket from Marshall in the last three minutes gave the game an exciting one-point spread with 35 seconds left. However, SMU did not allow the Thundering Herd to get any closer and finished the game 53-52.

The Mustangs shot a consistent game with a 46.9 percent shooting average from the field.

Simpson led the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The second highest shooter was Marshall’s Latiedra Elliot, with 10 points and 3 rebounds. Both Alisha Filmore and Christine Elliott scored 6 points. Filmore also had 3 blocks and 6 assists and Elliott had 4 blocks and 4 assists.

The victory improved SMU’s record to 14-16 and concluded Marshall’s season with a 16-14 record.

Next, the Mustangs face a tough opponent: No.2 seed and tournament host Memphis. Memphis is 23-16 overall and 13-3 in C-USA. The teams will face off in the quarterfinals Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Memphis.

SMU lost to Memphis 60-55 in Moody Coliseum in February of this season, but look to beat the Tigers Thursday to continue their fight in the C-USA Championship.