DALLAS – It came down to the final shot, as Memphis (15-11, 6-7) held off SMU (15-11, 5-8) to snap a three-game setback in a 70-67 rout over the Mustangs at Moody Coliseum.
In absence of The American’s leading scorer, Jeremiah Martin, it took a collective effort for Memphis to earn the road win. The Tigers placed five players in double figures with Mike Parks Jr. (17) and Kareem Brewton Jr. (16) combining for 33 points to lead the way.
SMU has also been devastated by injuries this year and played without the league’s No. 2 scorer in Shake Milton. In his absence, Jahmal Murray solely matched the Tigers’ leaders with a game-high 33 points, including a school-record nine 3-pointers. McMurray has scored 15 or more in the past four games.
Tied at 47-47 in the second half, Raynere Thornton hit a trey to spark a 7-2 run for the Memphis that allowed the Tigers to pull away. The Mustangs got within one, but Memphis refused to give up the lead from there. Thornton ended the night with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
Memphis is locked in seventh place in The American standings, while SMU is in ninth place. Both teams return to action on Saturday, Feb. 17. The Tigers will stay on the road to face Tulane, as SMU heads East to Orlando to take on UCF.