The SMU women’s basketball team took their strong play to the Bahamas and claimed first place in the Bahamas Sunsplash Shootout. Senior Jillian Samuels was named MVP of the tournament after she led the Mustangs to first place.

The Mustangs faced a stiff challenge from Wichita State in the opening round and had to fend off a late rally by the Shockers to win, 66-60. Sophomore Christine Elliot led the Mustangs with 18 points and 10 rebounds while senior Alice Severin finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.

In the championship game against Indiana State, SMU took a commanding lead, 41-26, in the second half before suddenly going cold, making a single field goal over the next seven minutes. The Sycamores took advantage of the shooting slump by cutting the lead to five, making it a game once more.

However, Samuels and senior Brittany Gilliam caught fire behind the arc to push the lead back to double digits and seal the game and championship. The Mustangs relied heavily on their defense in their final game, limiting Indiana State to 34.0-percent shooting and only 2-for-17 from behind the arc.

-Stephen Lu, Sports Editor