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Charleston Pony wrote:Very unimpressive start for our guys. Not much ball movement and poor outside shooting. SAGU is the quicker team but looks early like a very competitive game

Yeah, but at least we're not playing transition defense, either, so that balances it out.

Mustangs 0-for-5 on 3s

Chuck Harris ends the SMU drought on 3s (after 8 misses from long range), puts SMU ahead, 28-25.

Phelps then airballs a 3, which Ambrose-Hylton cleans up with a reverse layup — 30-25.

Mustang Band is at some kind of a showcase event at JerryWorld, and is replaced tonight by Madison HS band.

Ponies have hit 4 of last 5, raising shooting percentage to 47.8

SMU roars ahead, 30-29.
Somewhere, ACC coaches are giggling.

Edwards with nice backdoor feed to Emory Lanier, whose reverse layup makes it 32-29
4:32 left in first half

Emory Lanier gets run over by CJ Hall — looked momentarily angry, but gets up and seems cool with the collision. Hits a pair of free throws.
SMU 34, SAGU 31

Ponies with slight edge on the boards: 15-13

This game has the flow of a playground game. Appeared our guys came out with about the same enthusiasm as the "crowd" in Moody for this one. SAGU is playing hard and as the announcer said: "if you didn't know, it would be hard to tell which team is the NAIA team".

SAGU's CJ Hall and Kylon Owens have 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Everyone else: 11

Biggest difference so far? Team fouls

SMU 3
SAGU 9

Ponies lead, 38-33 with 2:37 left in the first half

SAGU's CJ Hall beats buzzer to trim SMU halftime lead to 43-39.

Not a pretty 1st half. Big advantage on the boards for SMU but we can't shoot a lick. 1-11 from three

SMU leaders

Points: Phelps (12)
Field goals: Phelps (5)
3-point field goals: Jalen Smith (1)
Free throws: Phelps, J. Smith, Harris, T. Smith, Hudson, Lanier (2)
Rebounds: T. Smith (5)
Offensive rebounds: T. Smith (5)
Assists: Phelps (3)
Fouls: Harris (2)
Turnovers: Harris, J. Smith, Williamson (2)
Blocked shots: Williamson Edwards (1)
Steals: Phelps (2)
Minutes: Phelps (15)