SMU rides offensive outburst past Tulsa, 103-70
SMU cruised past Tulsa, 103-70, inside Moody Coliseum on Saturday to improve to 13-5 overall and 4-1 in American Athletic Conference play.
Score: SMU 103, Tulsa 70
Record: 13-5 overall, 4-1 in AAC
Next game: The Mustangs visit North Texas on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
Player of the game: G Chuck Harris – Harris was one of two Mustangs to record a double-double in this contest. Harris’ 18 points and 10 assists led the way as SMU rolled offensively. He also added six rebounds while shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Leading scorers: Harris (18), Zhuric Phelps (18) and Sam Williamson (15)
Sequence of the game: SMU’s 14-2 run to open the game set the tone. The Mustangs have started fast lately and have been able to ride that to three straight wins. Harris had five points in the first 2:03 of the game during that start.
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Rest of the story: It was a barrage of offensive output for the Mustangs against Tulsa on Saturday and that allowed this team to pull away throughout the contest. Phelps finished 7-of-11 from the field, but Rob Lanier complimented his defensive effort against the Golden Hurricane. That helped Phelps lock in and tie Harris for the team-high with 18 points. He also added six rebounds and two assists. SMU steadily built a 22-point halftime lead, but absolutely dominated in the 2nd half to win by 33. Tulsa didn’t have an answer for the Mustangs, who outscored Tulsa in the paint, 42-34. SMU outrebounded Tulsa, 41-33, getting back on the right side of the rebounding margin.
Notable stat I: SMU outscored Tulsa, 23-6, in points off turnovers.
Notable stat II: SMU’s 52 first half points were a season-high first-half points and most since 52 vs Western Carolina 11/14/2018.
Final word: We’ve talked a lot about how if SMU’s offense could give a little more, this team could be a favorite to win the AAC. Well, despite allowing Tulsa shooting 42 percent from the field, SMU rolled past Tulsa. The Mustangs shot 51 percent from the field and the offense was cooking, notching 21 assists in the contest. If SMU can get that type of output out of the offense more often, this team will be dangerous down the stretch. In its loss at Memphis, SMU didn’t have its offense and free-throws didn’t come through in the 2nd half, which cost them. Now they’ll have to take its offensive showing on the road against a good North Texas team on Thursday. If the usual defensive showing comes with that, Lanier’s crew will have a good shot to win a fourth straight game.
