Mustangs Narrowly Miss Victory Against Owls at Moody Coliseum
The Southern Methodist University Mustangs faced a narrow defeat against the Rice Owls with a final score of 65-63. The Mustangs' season record now stands at an even balance, while the Owls have edged ahead in their own tally.
In what was a nail-biting encounter at the Moody Coliseum, the SMU Mustangs showcased resilience and tactical acumen, despite falling just short against their opponents. The home team's effort was evident in their improved performance as the game progressed, with scoring increasing each quarter from 11 to 21 by the fourth. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the consistent scoring of the Owls across all quarters.
The Mustangs demonstrated a robust defense with six blocks and eight steals during the game. Their offensive efforts were equally commendable; they recorded an assist-turnover ratio of 1.5 and managed to secure 18 assists overall – showcasing their ability to work as a cohesive unit on offense.
Despite trailing behind in field goal percentage by only one percent compared to Rice's 38 percent, SMU made notable contributions inside with 28 points in paint and capitalized on turnovers by adding another 17 points off them. They also attempted more free throws than Rice but converted at a lower rate of 67 percent.
One area where SMU excelled was in defensive rebounds, pulling down an impressive total of 24 compared to Rice's defensive rebound count of only three – highlighting SMU's control under their own basket.
However, it was not just about defense for SMU; they also showed flashes of brilliance on offense. Although they had fewer attempts from beyond the arc than Rice (eight compared to fifteen), they matched them for three-pointers made (three each) and maintained a respectable three-point shooting percentage at around thirty-eight percent.
Looking ahead after this intense conference game that saw eight ties and nine lead changes before reaching its conclusion, fans can look forward to supporting their team again soon. The next challenge for Southern Methodist University will be away against Memphis Tigers at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on January 11th at 7:00 PM CT. Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into broadcasts scheduled for that date.