DALLAS, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana guard Morgan Carrier netted the game-winning three-point field goal with 4.4 seconds left to give the Lady Lions a 63-62 road win at SMU in non-conference action Tuesday night at Moody Coliseum.  
 
Carrier's trey was the 13^th of the game for the Lady Lions (3-1). Southeastern's long-distance shooting and a defensive effort that saw SLU force SMU into 16 turnovers. The win sent SMU, which won 19 games and advanced to the WNIT a season ago, to 2-3 on the season.
 
"We're a completely different team than we were at the start of the season," Southeastern head coach Ayla Guzzardo said. "We're closer as a team off the court, we're sharing the ball much better and focusing on our defensive principles. I'm so proud of where we are as a team right now and I'm proud to share this with our coaches and team.
 
"This was a great team effort by our defense," Guzzardo added. "(Associate Head Coach) K.J. (Lee) did a great job with teaching the scouting report and we did a nice job of not letting their best player beat us. The team bought in to on the defensive end and that was a key to our win tonight."
 
A three-pointer by Celica Sterling gave SLU a 56-44 advantage with 6:57 left. But, SMU used a relentless full court press to gradually chip in to the Lady Lion lead. A bucket by Alicia Froling gave the Mustangs a 62-60 lead – their first sent the opening minutes of the second quarter – with 12.7 seconds remaining.
 
That set up Carrier's winning shot. Tyler Morrison tried to turn the corner, but was cut off and found Carrier open on the left wing. The New Iberia, Louisiana native, who had missed her first seven shots from behind the arc, confidently stepped into the game-winner that rattled home.
 
SMU had one last chance with 4.4 seconds remaining. Mackenzie Ellis had a decent look, but it fell short and Caitlyn Williams was there to secure the victory with the rebound. Southeastern is off to its best start since 2012-13 and has its first three-game winning streak since that season.
 
"We knew SMU was going to make a late run and we have to do a better job moving forward handling pressure," Guzzardo said. "Morgan is a shooter and she stepped up and did what she's here to do."
 
While Carrier was responsible for the game-winning bucket, she was far from the only individual standout. Sterling, in just her fourth game as a Lady Lion, scored 29 points off the bench and pouring in eight three-point field goals.
 
"We brought Celica in and knew she could score in bunches," Guzzardo said. "She shoots with confidence and we're thankful for what she brings to our team."
 
Sterling was joined in double figures by Jaclyn Scholvin, who finished with a team-high seven assists and five steals to go with her 10 points. Morrison added five assists of her own, while Caitlyn Williams (six points, six rebounds) and Ashailee Brailey (nine points) also had significant contributions.
 
Froling led SMU with 14 points and 18 rebounds, as the Mustangs finished with a 45-19 advantage on the glass. Kayla White also had 14 points for SMU, while Ariana Whitfield had nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Southeastern will close out its three-game road swing on Tuesday, Nov. 27 with a 6 p.m. contest at Jackson State.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
For ticket information on the upcoming Southeastern women's basketball season, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.lionsports.net/tickets.
 
SEASON OF GIVING
Southeastern Louisiana Athletics, the Southeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Office of Multicultural and International Student Affairs will hold a food drive throughout the months of November and December. Fans who bring one of the requested items to the University Center (game day only) or the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics will receive a voucher for a discounted ticket.
 
All items will be donated to the SLU Food Pantry. Requested items include snack bars, tuna, soup, cereal, pop tarts, macaroni and cheese, cup noodles, pasta, ramen noodles, chili, black beans, red beans, dry beans, peanut butter, jelly, Vienna sausage, rice, instant rice, instant potatoes, microwave meals, fruit cups, mouthwash, shampoo and toothpaste. 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Women's Basketball, follow @SoutheasternWBB on Twitter, like /SoutheasternWBB on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.