The SMU women’s basketball team has returned home, after a week of preparation. They will host Rice University at Moody Coliseum Feb. 12 at 7 pm.
Following Friday’s game, the Mustangs will take on Houston for the second time this season in a televised match Feb. 14 at 7:00 pm.
SMU has already seen both these teams this season when playing in Houston in late January. Although Rice beat SMU, 61-58, SMU beat Houston, 74- 67, two days later.
SMU has not had a win since their game against Houston. Rice lost at home to Houston earlier this season.
Houston is currently engaged in a three-way tie for the top rank in Conference USA standings. One of their three conference losses was against the Mustangs, giving them a C-USA record of 6-3. They are tied with Tulane University and Memphis University.
SMU has defeated both Memphis and Tulane once this season. SMU is also in a three-way tie, one loss behind the first place teams. Along with Rice and the University of Texas at El Paso, SMU has a record of 5-4.
Overall, SMU has a record of 33-29 against the Rice Owls. In their tough loss earlier in the season, SMU was able to make a drastic comeback to cut the Owls’ lead to only three points. Mustang guard, Brittany Gilliam, scored her season high that evening with a total of 24 points.
When playing the Houston Cougars, SMU jostled back and forth for the lead until the clock crept towards halftime. The Mustangs were up by only one point at half time.
When the second half began, SMU was ready to seal the deal and with a little over eight minutes left, they stretched their lead to 13 points.
Not only will Sunday’s game be televised on ESPN 2, the game will also double as a celebration for SMU’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The goal of the special day is to celebrate women in athletics, as well as promote equality and healthy lifestyles.
The game will also promote SMU’s effort to support the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association in their campaign called “PinkZone”. The charity raises money for breast cancer awareness and research.
Prior to tip off, fans will have the opportunity to pay five dollars for admittance to “Fan Fest”. Fan Fest will give those in attendance the opportunity to speak with and meet SMU student athletes from many different sports. Head coach Rhonda Rompola will host the event.
