Jillian Samuels (#41) steals the ball from Tulane in the Mustangs’ Jan. 14 loss to the Green Wave. (Nick McCarthy)
The SMU women’s basketball team hopes to end a four-game losing streak tonight with a game against the University of Central Florida. The Mustangs are 11-9 (3-5 C-USA) and have a record of 8-2 at home this season. The Golden Knights are 6-15 (1-7 C-USA) and 1-8 on the road.
This is only the second meeting between SMU and UCF. In the first contest, Janielle Dodds and Sharee Shepard each scored 16 points, helping the Mustangs to a 69-57 win. Dodds comes into tonight’s game with 1,195 career points, putting her 11th on SMU’s all-time scoring list. Dodds needs only 12 more points to move into 10th place.
Also adding to the record books is Jillian Samuels. The freshman is currently second in three-point shots made (37) and three-point shots attempted (107). Her 15 three-point field goal attempts during the game against Houston earlier this season set a new Mustang individual record, surpassing the previous record of 12 attempts in a single game.
Samuels isn’t the only freshman making waves on court this season. Teammates Brittany Gilliam, Alice Severin and Delisha Wills proved their offensive strength during SMU’s victory over UTEP. Gilliam posted 18 points and six rebounds, while Wills contributed 13 points and six rebounds. Severin added 14 points, including the Mustangs’ first eight points of the game.
The Golden Knights have a disappointing road record to overcome, having won only one away game this season. Shooting 36.9 percent from the field and averaging 57.2 points per game, UCF is repeatedly outdone by its opponents who, on average, shoot 43 percent and 63.5 points per game.
Seniors Francine Houston and Keunta Miles lead the Golden Knights, each averaging at least 12 points per game. Miles also averages 6.7 rebounds per game. Fellow senior Celeste Hudson posted her 1,000th career point when UCF played Tulane on Sunday.
The Mustangs hit the road again on Feb. 4 to face Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg before returning for a four-game stint in Dallas.
Tip-off tonight is scheduled for 7 at Moody Coliseum.
