After over a month without competition, the SMU equestrian team came out rusty against No. 5 Baylor University, falling 6-3 Saturday at Buck Branch in Wilmer, Texas. This was SMU’s second meeting with the Bears this season. Baylor took the first match 5-2 on Feb. 19

The Bears came out strong on the flat, taking all five matches and outscoring the Mustangs 357-341. Kendra Vicary earned MVP honors for Baylor after edging Renick Townsend 72-71. Kara Fergusson led all riders with a score of 73, topping Julianna Fischer and clinching the sweep for the Bears.

For the mustangs to have any chance of forcing a tie, they would have to sweep over the fences. The Mustangs began to rally behind junior Jordyn Pettersen and got right back in the thick of things by taking three straight points.

Pettersen, who earned MVP honors, got things started with a 75-73 win over Ashley McGehee. Marissa Djernes followed Petersen’s lead and downed Taylor Brown 82-72. Fischer would continue to ride the momentum as she took down Vicary 82-72.

Just when it looked like SMU was going to pull off the impossible, Fergusson once again stepped up for the Bears and claimed victory, diminishing any chance of Mustang comeback. Fergusson defeated Emily Gardner 78-65.

SMU outscored nationally-ranked Baylor, 380-369 over fences and only trailed 726-721 in the overall score.