(Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)

The women’s basketball team suffered a tough loss at home this weekend to Rice. The final score was 69-60, pushing the Mustangs to an overall record of 12-14.

Akil Simpson led the team with 12 points and five rebounds, but with four fouls heading into the last few minutes, she was forced to back off her intensity and pressure on the defensive end.

Sunday’s game marks Simpson’s 15th game of double digit numbers this season.

Senior Christine Elliot had a tough game offensively, with five turnovers and only five points, but was able to make a difference under the basket, pulling down 10 rebounds over all.

“You’ve got to minimize your mental mistakes and I thought we had some mental mistakes that second half,” Coach Rhonda Rompola said after the game.

Much to the Mustang’s dismay, Rice capitalized on these turnovers, and was able to score 15 points from their mistakes.

SMU struggled with free throws, only shooting 58 percent from the line — Akil Simpson was 4-9 and Brittney Hardy went 2-4.

The Owls’ sophomore forward, Jessica Kuster, was unbeatable on both ends of the court during the game, finishing up with a double-double 22 points and 12 rebounds.

“What makes her so tough is that she’s a mobile post player… She can shoot over players,” Rompola said.

Rice scored 24 points in the paint, many of which were Kuster’s. In the two team’s first ever meeting in 1979, which Rice won with a final score of 57-54.

Despite the loss, the Mustangs still lead the Owls in all time wins between the two. The Owls are now two games ahead of the Mustangs in the conference with a 7-6 record in league play and a 13-13 record overall.

SMU heads to El Paso this Thursday to take on C-USA leaders, UTEP. Tip off is set for 8:05 p.m.