DALLAS – Adia Barnes gave Shania James her first SMU start after seeing how consistently she worked in the gym. James responded with 24 points, seven assists and six made threes in Sunday’s 78-65 win over East Texas A&M.
“It’s just basketball at the end of the day,” James said after Sunday’s 78-65 win over East Texas A&M.
She described a coach who lets her try things without playing scared. Barnes described a young player who learns and adjusts quickly, even while making freshman mistakes. James had previously contributed off the bench.
Barnes had chosen to rest Zahra King, who was banged up. The coach said King could have played. James had been consistent enough in the gym to get the opportunity, and she finished with seven assists while making six of seven threes.
Theresa Hagans Jr. scored 30. Together, the guards made 11 of 15 threes and supplied 54 of SMU’s 78 points.
Barnes said James and Hagans are close friends with strong chemistry. Sunday gave them a chance to share the scoring and passing in the same starting group, though it did not make every stretch comfortable.
SMU led 23-16 after the first quarter, then scored only 11 in the second and trailed 39-34 at halftime. The Mustangs regained the lead in the third and finished with a 24-15 fourth quarter.
Barnes said East Texas A&M had hurt SMU by isolating defenders and driving downhill. She adjusted the space her defenders gave the ballhandler. She also took responsibility for substitutions that left SMU without a point guard on the floor.
Moving James into the starting lineup had removed a ballhandler from the reserves. The change left Barnes deciding who would run the offense when James rested.
Through three games, James has 13 assists against seven turnovers. Hagans has eight assists against seven turnovers. Barnes also wants to examine Kinsea Grimes in more minutes and use games to learn which combinations she can keep together.
James’ move into the starting group left Barnes with fewer ballhandling minutes on the bench. Keeping a point guard on the floor is the next rotation decision after a start that produced 24 points and seven assists.
Photo: SMU Athletics. SMU vs. East Texas A&M, Nov. 8, 2026.
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