SMU Mustangs' Paint Power Falls Short Against California Golden Bears

The SMU Mustangs faced off against the California Golden Bears in a closely contested game at Haas Pavilion. The Mustangs now hold a 0-1 record after their narrow defeat, while the Golden Bears improved to 1-0. The final score was 73-69 in favor of the home team.

First Half

The first half saw both teams battling for dominance, with the Golden Bears taking an early lead. The Mustangs managed to keep pace thanks to their strong performance in the paint, scoring 32 points from close range. Corey Washington led the charge for SMU with his impressive rebounding and scoring ability, contributing significantly to keeping his team within striking distance.

Second Half

In the second half, SMU continued their aggressive playstyle but struggled with free throws, converting only 42 percent of their attempts. Boopie Miller's sharpshooting from beyond the arc kept SMU competitive as he hit crucial three-pointers that narrowed California's lead. However, turnovers proved costly for SMU as they committed a total of 14 throughout the game.

Final Moments

As time wound down, it was clear that defense would be key in determining this game's outcome. Despite Jaden Toombs' efforts on defense with multiple blocks and rebounds, California capitalized on fast break opportunities and maintained composure at critical moments. Their efficiency from free throws—hitting 80 percent—proved decisive as they held off a late surge by SMU.

The pivotal moment came when California managed an unanswered run that shifted momentum firmly in their favor during crunch time—a true turning point in this matchup between these two competitive teams.

Looking ahead, fans can catch more action when SMU takes on Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion on February 28th at 6:00 PM EST. Tune into ACC Network for live coverage of what promises to be another exciting contest.

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