DALLAS — No. 22 Miami spoiled SMU’s Senior Night, pulling away late to defeat the Mustangs 77-69 on Wednesday at Moody Coliseum.
Miami (24-6, 13-4 ACC) used efficient shooting and timely three-point baskets to hold off SMU (19-11, 8-9 ACC), which entered the night as the ACC’s highest-scoring offense but struggled to find its usual rhythm.
The Hurricanes shot 47.4% from the field and knocked down 11 of 18 from three-point range, creating just enough separation in the second half to keep the Mustangs at bay.
Despite the loss, SMU guard Jaron Pierre Jr. delivered a standout performance with a game-high 27 points, pushing his career scoring total to 2,125 — placing him among the top active scorers in Division I basketball.
Senior guard Boopie Miller added 21 points and six assists while extending his remarkable streak to 37 consecutive games scoring in double figures, the longest such stretch by an SMU player since at least 2000. It also marked his 15th 20-point game of the season.
Center Samet Yigitoglu contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and tied a career high with four blocks for the Mustangs, who had three players finish in double figures.
SMU played without senior guard B.J. Edwards, who missed the game due to injury after starting the team’s first 28 contests this season. Freshman Jermaine O’Neal Jr. made his first collegiate start in Edwards’ place, finishing with three points, six rebounds and three steals.
The Mustangs entered the night averaging 85.8 points per game, but Miami’s defense slowed the tempo while the Hurricanes capitalized from beyond the arc. SMU shot 41.3% from the field and hit 8 of 24 from three-point range.
Before tipoff, SMU honored five seniors — Edwards, Miller, Pierre, Trey Utter and Corey Washington — in a pregame ceremony.
SMU will close the regular season Saturday on the road against Florida State before turning its attention to the ACC Tournament next week in Charlotte.
Head coach Andy Enfield, in his second season leading the Mustangs, now holds a 19-11 record this year and a 43-22 mark at SMU.
