Following a victory against New Orleans last Wednesday, the SMU Mustangs had a few days to prepare for the 10-1 Boise State Broncos. 

Sitting atop the Mountain West, the Broncos came in to Dallas off a double-overtime victory against Grand Canyon last Wednesday. 

For SMU to be successful tonight, Moody Coliseum needed to be magical. And let me tell you, Moody was rocking all night long. As for tonight was Mob Alumni Night, the crowd was as loud as ever and The Mob was on their feet the entire game. 

The Mustangs came out to a fast start, as Ben Emelogu and Jimmy Whitt couldn’t miss from the floor. Emelogu electrified the crowd with a rim shaking slam, helping SMU to a 33-22 halftime lead as Boise State shot only 29.6%. 

The second half proved to be much of the same as SMU kept their foot on the gas. Freshman Ethan Chargois came alive in the second half, scoring 12 of his 16 points, including a monster tomahawk slam. 

Boise State couldn’t handle SMU’s numerous offensive weapons. SMU shot just under 59% for the game and 50% on three pointers, going 11/22, helping lead the Mustangs to a 86-63 victory. 

Five Mustangs scored in double figures, led by Jimmy Whitt, Ethan Chargois, and Jahmal McMurray, who all scored 16 points.

McMurray, a transfer from South Florida, got his first action as a Mustang tonight after sitting out a year. The junior brought a spark off the bench, scoring 16 points on four made three pointers.

”Man, it was nothing but a blessing,” McMurray on being back on the court. “I’m just so happy. I knew my first shot was going in. I told all my teammates that first shot is going in.”

Leading scorer on the season Shake Milton added 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. 

The Mustangs held Boise State to 63 points, more than 15 points lower than their season average. Senior Chandler Hutchison led the way for the Broncos with 18 points and six rebounds. 

Coach Tim Jankovich spoke on McMurray’s impressive debut, “It’s hard to do what he just did. Haven’t played a game in a year. But I’m not surprised. He’s a heck of a player. He’s a confident player.”

Confidence is definitely something that McMurray does not lack and it showed tonight.

“I wouldn’t have bet on that first shot going in. He told his guys he was going to make the first shot?” Jankovich asked.

“How bout’ that. I love it.”

SMU has a quick turn around as Cal Poly comes to Moody tomorrow night before conference play begins next week. 

Pony Up!