CLEMSON, S.C. — SMU ran into a defensive wall Tuesday night and couldn’t quite climb it.
The Mustangs saw their high-powered offense slowed just enough in a 74-70 loss to Clemson, which stayed perfect at home this season and leaned on timely stops down the stretch to hold off a late SMU push.
Boopie Miller led all scorers with 23 points, continuing a remarkable stretch of consistency. The senior guard scored in double figures for the 23rd straight game and added another efficient night at the free-throw line, going a perfect 11-for-11. His streak is the longest for SMU since Shake Milton’s run in 2017–18.
Samet Yigitoglu delivered a strong interior performance, posting 14 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season, while B.J. Edwards and Jaron Pierre Jr. chipped in 12 points apiece. SMU finished with four players in double figures for the 14th time in 15 games, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Clemson’s physical defense.
The Mustangs, who entered the night averaging 91.5 points per game, were held to 37.3 percent shooting — well below their season norm — as Clemson limited clean looks and controlled the paint. Clemson outscored SMU 30-22 inside and generated more fast-break points, key differences in a tightly contested game.
SMU did its best work at the foul line, converting 26 of 29 free throws, and won the rebounding battle 37-33. Still, the Mustangs managed just 10 assists after coming in as the ACC’s top passing team, a reflection of how Clemson disrupted ball movement throughout the night.
The loss dropped SMU to 12-3 overall under second-year head coach Andy Enfield, who now owns a 36-14 record with the program. Despite the setback, the Mustangs showed resilience on the road in ACC play and remained within striking distance until the final possessions.
For SMU, the formula was close — but against an unbeaten home team, close wasn’t quite enough.
