SMU Mustangs Narrowly Miss Victory Against Tulane in Fort Worth
In a closely contested match at Dickies Arena, the Southern Methodist University Mustangs fell short against the Tulane Green Wave with a final score of 62-68. The Mustangs now stand with an overall record of 0-1, while the Green Wave advances with a record of 1-0.
The game was marked by intense competition from start to finish. The Mustangs opened strong, outscoring the Green Wave 15-10 in the first quarter. However, momentum shifted as Tulane picked up pace and narrowed their deficit to just one point by halftime. The third quarter saw an explosive performance from Tulane, racking up 28 points to SMU's 13, which ultimately set the stage for their victory despite SMU's valiant effort in matching them point-for-point in the final quarter.
The home team showcased resilience and skill throughout the game. They excelled inside the paint scoring a dominant 38 points compared to Tulane's respectable but lower total of 28 points. Their shooting accuracy was evident as they achieved a solid field goal percentage of 49 and an impressive two-point shooting percentage of 55.
Despite these efforts, turnovers proved costly for SMU; they committed a total of 17 turnovers which translated into 19 points for Tulane off those errors. Conversely, while also committing turnovers, Tulane managed to keep theirs at a lower count with only thirteen instances.
On defense both teams were evenly matched with each recording three blocks during playtime. However, steals were another story; SMU managed four steals whereas their opponents notched ten - showcasing aggressive defensive tactics that paid dividends for them on offense.
Rebounding was another area where SMU showed strength; they out-rebounded Tulane by seven boards totaling at thirty-five rebounds – twenty-five defensive and six offensive rebounds added to their tally along with four team rebounds.
Key players from both sides contributed significantly but it was ultimately teamwork that shone through as reflected in assist numbers: fifteen assists were recorded by SMU players compared to seventeen by those from Tulane indicating fluid ball movement on both ends of the court.
As fans look forward to future games this season it is clear that there are many positives for Southern Methodist University fans to take away from this encounter despite not securing victory on this occasion. Fans can catch future broadcasts and support their team as they continue their journey through this season’s American Athletic Conference matchups.