SMU Mustangs Edge Out Green Wave in a Close Encounter at Moody Coliseum
The Southern Methodist University Mustangs emerged victorious with an 80-76 scoreline against the Tulane Green Wave, maintaining their unblemished record. The home team's performance was marked by a dominant rebounding display, securing 52 rebounds compared to the Green Wave's 33. The Mustangs' offense was fueled by an impressive inside game, tallying 42 points in the paint.
The Mustangs showcased their defensive capabilities with five steals and three blocks, disrupting the Green Wave's rhythm. Despite committing eight turnovers, one more than their opponents, they managed to capitalize on these opportunities by scoring nine points off turnovers. Their tenacity on the offensive glass paid dividends as they notched up 24 second-chance points.
A key factor in SMU's win was their superior free throw shooting accuracy; they converted 75 percent of their attempts from the charity stripe. Although they struggled from beyond the arc with a mere 23 percent success rate for three-pointers, making just six out of twenty-six attempts, it did not deter them from securing a win.
On the other side of the court, Tulane put up a valiant effort with ten blocks and seventeen assists but fell short in key areas of play. They shot slightly better from field goal range at 46 percent and were successful on half of their two-point attempts. However, their free throw percentage lagged behind at only 65 percent which may have cost them crucial points down the stretch.
The game saw seven times tied and three lead changes indicating how competitive it was throughout regulation time. Both teams exhausted all timeouts by halftime which added to the uninterrupted flow of play during crunch time.
Looking ahead for SMU fans eager to support their team: The SMU Mustangs will face off against UAB Blazers at Moody Coliseum located at Dallas TX zip code:75205 on February 4th at 5 PM Central Time Zone (CT). This encounter can be watched live nationally on ESPN2 channel number:209 ensuring fans won't miss any action as both teams battle it out on court.