SMU’s impressive homecourt winning streak prevailed over Cincinnati’s overall winning streak Saturday, highlighting an eventful day in the American Athletic Conference.
The Mustangs picked up their first win against a top- 10 opponent since Dec. 3, 1987, as efficient offense and steady defense led to a 76-55 win against the Bearcats at Moody Coliseum. SMU, which shot 54.3 percent from the field, picked up its 13th straight home victory and put an end to Cincinnati’s 15-game winning streak. It was Cincinnati’s first loss in American Athletic Conference play.
Memphis scored a win against a nationally ranked opponent as the Tigers closed the nonconference portion of their schedule with a 60-54 win against No. 23/20 Gonzaga at FedExForum. Memphis trailed by as many as 12 in the second half, but the Tigers held the Bulldogs scoreless in the final 3:18.
Rutgers, meanwhile, picked up its first road win of the season as the Scarlet Knights rode a 31-point performance from F Kadeem Jack to a 79-69 win against USF in Tampa, Fla. Jack was 13-of-13 from the free throw line as Rutgers picked up its fourth conference win of the year.
Two American Athletic Conference games are set for Sunday as Temple visits Houston (2 p.m. ET, ESPNews) and UConn is at UCF (6 p.m. ET, ESPNews).