SMU will look to continue to build momentum at home before the start of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule in early January when it faces Murray State on Tuesday night in Dallas.
The clash will mark the third contest of SMU’s seven-game homestand to open the season.
The Mustangs (2-0) outlasted Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 69-58 on Thursday in their most recent outing. Four players scored in double figures to help SMU overcome 35.6% shooting from the floor.
“They have to learn how to play together,” Mustangs coach Andy Enfield said about his team. “This was a good test for us because we pulled away and played well enough to win.”
Boopie Miller led SMU with 14 points despite making just 2 of his 14 field-goal attempts. Corey Washington added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Samet Yigitoglu racked up 12 and 10, respectively.
Jaron Pierre Jr. also scored 12 points for the Mustangs, who pulled away from a tie game in the final four minutes and did the majority of their damage late from the free-throw line. SMU limited the visitors to 28.8% shooting from the field.
“I feel like we have a great team with a lot of depth,” said SMU guard B.J. Edwards, one of three returning starters for the team. “Whoever’s got the hot hand, that’s who we go with. We all feed off each other — we all contribute.”
The Racers (2-0) head to Dallas after a 108-60 home walloping of Mississippi Valley State on Friday. Six Murray State players reached double figures, and all 11 players who had court time scored in the rout.
Brayden Shorter led the way with 15 points while Fred King hit for 13, Roman Domon, Mason Miller and Mathis Courbon had 12 each, and KJ Tenner added 10 for the Racers.
Murray State led by 24 points at the break before producing a 61-point second half. The Racers held the visitors to 31.7% shooting from the floor while forcing 23 turnovers.
“I don’t care who your opponent is, we’ll celebrate (the win),” Murray State coach Ryan Miller said. “We’ll look at what we did right and look at what we did wrong, and it’s a matter of keep doing the things you do right and correct the things you do wrong.”
–Field Level Media
