DALLAS (SMU) – The defending American Athletic Conference champions opened up the 2017-18 conference slate by picking right up where they left off, knocking off UCF, 56-51, for SMU’s 17th-straight win against an AAC opponent.
Junior Jarrey Foster provided a huge spark for the Mustangs throughout the night, scoring a game-high 14 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Foster was extremely active on the offensive glass, collecting six of his rebounds on that end of the court. His strong play carried over to the defensive side as well, sending back three shots while also tallying a steal.
Fellow junior Shake Milton matched Foster’s 14 points points while adding in six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block to really fill out his stat line across the board.
While the Mustangs maintained control of the game for the majority of the contest, an 8-0 run early in the second half gave UCF a one-point lead at just under the 16 minute mark. SMU responded quickly, answering the Knights’ 8-0 run with a 9-0 run of their own to regain control and sit in a more commanding position. After extending the lead back out, the lead stayed at least two possessions for the remainder of the game.
In what has become a trend for the SMU offense, the Mustangs once again finished with an impressive assist total with 17 assists on 23 baskets. Senior Ben Emelogu II led the way in the category, dishing out six assists.
The Mustangs’ play on the defensive end was the difference in the game, never allowing UCF to work into any kind of rhythm. The Knights shot just 37 percent from the floor and turned it over 19 times.
SMU will be back at Moody Coliseum on December 31, hosting USF at 7 p.m.
