STANFORD, Calif. — Short-handed and fighting for positioning in the ACC race, SMU ran into a hot Stanford squad Saturday night at Maples Pavilion. The Cardinal pulled away in the second half to secure a 95-75 win, dropping the Mustangs to 19-10 overall and 8-8 in conference play.
Stanford (18-11, 7-9 ACC) took advantage of an early absence for SMU and never let the visitors fully settle in during what registered as a Quad 1 road opportunity in the NCAA NET rankings.
Edwards Sidelined, Lineup Adjusted
For the first time this season, SMU was without senior guard B.J. Edwards, who missed the game due to injury after starting the first 28 contests. The three-time ACC Player of the Week entered the night averaging 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists while leading the league in steals.
Head coach Andy Enfield inserted freshman center Jaden Toombs into the starting five for just his second start of the year. Toombs previously delivered 23 points and seven rebounds in a January start at Duke, but Saturday’s challenge proved steeper.
Miller’s Historic Run Continues
Despite the loss, Boopie Miller extended one of the most consistent scoring stretches in program history.
The senior guard poured in 26 points — his 36th straight game in double figures — the longest such streak for SMU since 2000. Miller was perfect at the line (10-for-10) and added five assists, continuing his steady playmaking alongside his scoring punch.
Jaron Pierre Jr. followed with 21 points, pushing his career total to 2,098 and keeping him among the nation’s active Division I scoring leaders. Corey Washington added 13 points, while Samet Yigitoglu chipped in 11 on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds.
SMU has now had at least four players score in double figures in 26 of its 29 games this season. Even so, Stanford’s offensive rhythm proved too much to overcome down the stretch.
Enfield’s Outlook
In his second season on the Hilltop, Enfield sits at 19-10 overall and 43-21 at SMU. The Mustangs are 21-15 in ACC play under his direction as they look to solidify postseason positioning heading into the final stretch.
What’s Next
SMU returns home Wednesday for Senior Day against Miami at Moody Coliseum before closing the regular season Saturday at Florida State. The ACC Tournament begins March 10 in Charlotte, with the Mustangs still firmly in the mix for seeding.
With two regular-season games remaining, SMU will look to regroup — and get healthy — before March basketball takes center stage.
