SMU Surges Past Washington State in Holiday Invitational Thriller
In a stunning display of second-half dominance, the SMU Mustangs galloped to victory against the Washington State Cougars, clinching the Acrisure Holiday Invitational championship with a decisive 77-60 win on Wednesday night in Palm Springs, California.
The game was a tale of two halves, with the Mustangs transforming a four-point halftime deficit into a commanding 17-point triumph. SMU’s head coach, Andy Enfield, must have delivered a rousing locker room speech as his team fired on all cylinders after the break.
Second Half Surge
SMU’s offensive engine roared to life in the second half, outscoring Washington State by an impressive 50-29 margin. The Mustangs’ shooting percentage skyrocketed from a lackluster 30.6% in the first half to a scorching 56.7% in the second.
Boopie Miller led the charge for SMU, pouring in 16 points, with 11 coming in the crucial second half. Not to be outdone, Samet Yigitoglu posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, punctuating the victory with two thunderous dunks that brought the crowd to its feet.
Cougars’ Struggles
Despite holding the lead for the entire first half, Washington State couldn’t maintain their momentum. The Cougars suffered multiple scoring droughts in the second half, allowing SMU to seize control. Nate Calmese tried to keep Washington State in the hunt with 15 points and six assists, but it wasn’t enough to stem the Mustangs’ tide.
Key Statistics
The Mustangs dominated the boards, outrebounding the Cougars 51-25. This massive advantage translated into a 21-6 edge in second-chance points and a lopsided 44-18 margin in points in the paint.
SMU’s balanced attack saw five players score in double figures:
- Boopie Miller: 16 points
- Chuck Harris: 14 points
- B.J. Edwards: 13 points
- Samet Yigitoglu: 12 points
- Kario Oquendo: 11 points
Washington State relied heavily on three-point shooting, attempting 33 shots from beyond the arc and connecting on 10. However, this strategy proved insufficient against SMU’s interior dominance.
Turning Point
The game’s pivotal moment came early in the second half. After Washington State extended their lead to seven points, SMU responded with a 7-0 run capped by Yigitoglu’s first dunk. This sequence set the tone for the remainder of the game as the Mustangs steadily pulled away.
A 9-2 spurt midway through the second half gave SMU a 50-44 lead, and they never looked back. The coup de grâce came in the form of an 8-0 run late in the game, pushing the lead to 69-55 and effectively sealing the victory.
Looking Ahead
With this impressive victory, SMU improves to 6-2 on the season, adding a prestigious tournament title. The Mustangs’ ability to make halftime adjustments and dominate the second half bodes well for their prospects as they move deeper into the season.
Washington State, also 6-2, lost this game to snap a three-game winning streak. The Cougars must address their rebounding woes and find ways to score consistently when their three-point shooting falters.
As the teams leave Palm Springs, both squads have shown they have the potential to make noise in their respective conferences. SMU’s second-half performance, in particular, shows they are a team to be reckoned with as the season progresses.