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DALLAS (SMU) - On a night when the SMU offense wasn't clicking on all cylinders early on, the Mustang defense was tremendous for all 40 minutes. Using that stifling defense and a second-half offensive surge, SMU dominated USF on Sunday night on its way to a 79-39 New Year's Eve victory.
In the second half, SMU's offense sprang to life by hitting its first eight attempts to blow the game open with an 26-1 run through the first eight minutes of the half. Meanwhile, the defense only upped its already strong first half effort. USF's first basket of the half didn't come until the 11:48 mark.
Junior Shake Milton led the way offensively for the Mustangs, dropping in 14 points, 11 of which came in the second half. Fellow juniors Jahmal McMurray and Jarrey Foster joined Milton in double-figures, each scoring 12 points. Sophomore Jimmy Whitt rounded out the double-digit scorers, finishing with 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
The Mustangs scored more points in the second half alone (51) than the Bulls managed for the entire game. SMU held USF to just 28 percent from the field, including a 3-of-19 mark from 3-point range. The Bulls finished with more turnovers (21) than field goals (14).
SMU contested essentially every shot the Bulls put up, leading to the low field goal percentage. USF scored zero points in transition, compared to SMU's 14 fast-break points. The Mustangs also dominated the Bulls on the glass, finishing with a plus-16 rebounding margin.
The Mustangs dominated the game in essentially every statistically category in the 40-point win. SMU finished with a better shooting percentage from the field and the free-throw line, fewer turnovers, more rebounds, more blocks, more steals and more assists.
While SMU never trailed, USF locked up the score at 11 with just under seven minutes left in the first half. A 43-6 run was the Mustangs' response.
SMU has now won 18-straight games against AAC opponents. The Mustangs hit the road for their first away game of conference playing, traveling to New Orleans on Thursday, January 4 for an 8 p.m. tip against Tulane.
