DALLAS — SMU has made a habit of protecting its home floor. Tuesday night, the Mustangs added a résumé-defining win to the list.
Behind 25 points from Jaron Pierre Jr. and 23 from Boopie Miller, SMU pulled away late to defeat No. 21 Louisville 95-85 at Moody Coliseum, earning its second ranked win of the season.
The game was tied 76-76 with 6:33 remaining before SMU seized control. Miller scored eight of his 23 points during a decisive 19-9 closing run, while Pierre added six down the stretch as the Mustangs (18-8, 7-6 ACC) out-executed the Cardinals (19-7, 8-5).
It was the third time in the past four games that both Miller and Pierre topped 20 points — a sign the Mustangs’ senior backcourt is peaking at the right time.
Moody Coliseum Advantage
SMU improved to 14-2 at home this season under second-year head coach Andy Enfield. The Mustangs have now defeated two ranked opponents in Dallas, the most in a season since 2019-20.
The offense was sharp from the outset. SMU shot 58.5% from the field and piled up a season-high 52 first-half points, turning a tight early contest into a track meet. An 8-0 burst in the opening minutes set the tone, and later in the half, the Mustangs hit eight consecutive field goals to swing momentum for good.
Backcourt Leads the Way
Miller extended his double-figure scoring streak to 33 straight games — the longest at SMU since at least 2000. The senior guard also dished out nine assists and knocked down all four of his free throws.
Pierre, who surpassed 2,050 career points with his performance, added seven rebounds and delivered several key baskets late. He has now scored 20 or more points in 10 games this season.
Corey Washington chipped in 18 points as SMU finished with three players in double figures. The Mustangs assisted on 21 of their 38 made field goals, continuing a season-long trend of balanced offensive execution.
Inside Presence and Defensive Activity
SMU dominated the paint, outscoring Louisville 46-30 inside. The Mustangs are now 14-4 when winning the battle in the lane.
Defensively, SMU recorded nine steals and six blocks. B.J. Edwards contributed seven assists and three steals, marking his 19th multi-steal effort of the season.
Louisville kept pace from beyond the arc, hitting 13 3-pointers, but shot just 44.8% overall and struggled to match SMU’s efficiency inside.
NCAA Tournament Implications
Entering the night ranked No. 36 in the NCAA NET, SMU improved to 4-7 in Quad 1 games with the victory over a Louisville team that began the evening ranked No. 12 in NET. The win strengthens the Mustangs’ postseason profile as the regular season winds down.
Up Next
SMU returns to Moody Coliseum on Saturday to host Boston College before heading west for road games at California and Stanford.
If Tuesday was any indication, the Mustangs are finding their rhythm — and Moody Coliseum remains one of the toughest stops in the ACC.
