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By Dylan Edwards, SMUMustangs.com
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (SMU) – After dropping the first game of the tournament, SMU found its footing in the Bahamas against one of the top teams in the nation. Facing off against No. 2 Arizona, the Mustangs took down the Wildcats, 66-60, to earn the program's first win against a No. 2 ranked team since 1967.
SMU found itself down 10 points early on in the first half against Arizona. At the halfway point of the first half, the Mustangs played SMU basketball by digging in on the defensive end to shut off Arizona's scoring and get back in the game.
It took Arizona just over eight minutes to score its first 19 points. It took more than 15 minutes for the Wildcats to score their next 19 points as SMU slowly began to take control of the game.
What's most impressive about the win is although shots were not falling, SMU found a way to win a game against such a highly ranked team. Despite shooting just 31 percent from the field, the Mustangs were extremely active on the offensive glass. SMU grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to see extra chances on the offensive end of the floor. The season-high 10 steals on defense were also vital to slowing down the Wildcats' talented offense.
Senior Ben Emelogu II led the way offensively for the Mustangs, pouring in 20 points on hot 7-for-11 from the field. That included a 5-for-7 mark from behind the arc. The only thing that could slow down Emelogu II was foul trouble, as he finished the game with four fouls.
Junior Shake Milton scored 17 and helped SMU ice the game at the end, hitting four free throws to close out the win. Milton was 8-for-9 at the line for the game while leading the team in rebounds with seven. Freshman Ethan Chargois also joined in the scoring, dropping in 12 points to give the Mustangs three double-figure scorers.
The Mustangs were able to open up an 11-point lead in the second half, but Arizona had a run in them as well to get the game back to even. However, it was SMU that made enough plays down the stretch to earn the win.
SMU caps off the Battle 4 Atlantis tomorrow against Western Kentucky at 6 p.m.
