SMU Upends Navy, 68-54
Dec 31 | Men's Basketball
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The SMU men's basketball team started its New Year's celebration early Wednesday in Annapolis, Md. defeating Navy 68-54 at Alumni Hall. Junior Eric Castro led the Mustangs with 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The game was SMU's first action since defeating top-25 opponent Purdue on Dec. 21, 60-59.
SMU took the first few minutes to work the kinks of having ten days off before going on a 19-2 run and taking an 18-point, 25-7 lead 10 minutes into the ball game. Three buckets by Navy narrowed the lead to 11 with seven minutes to go in the first stanza, but the Mustangs pushed their lead to 17 with two minutes remaining The Mustangs led at halftime 35-22. Castro owned the paint in the first half, producing 13 of his game-high 15 points, while corralling seven boards in 16 minutes. The Mustangs earned points off several second-chance opportunities, as 11 of their 25 first half rebounds came off the offensive glass.
The Mustangs continued their pace in the second half, opening with a 12-2 run capped off by a lay-up from Castro, taking a 47-24 lead four minutes into the second period. Navy whittled down the lead to 16 (47-31) with 13 minutes remaining, but the Mustangs opened the lead right back to 23 (59-36) with 7:48 to go in the game.
Navy narrowed SMU's lead to 11 with 12 seconds to go, but sophomore guard Ryan Hopkins sank a three-pointer with five seconds left in the game to give SMU the 14-point decision.
Bryan Hopkins added 13 points and six assist, as 11 of SMU's 13 players scored in the contest. With the win, SMU improves to 6-3 on the year. The Mustangs return to the hardwood Jan. 3 when they travel to Oklahoma City to take on Big-12 opponent Oklahoma State in the All Sports Classic. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. For more information on the Oklahoma State game click here.
