SMU beats UNI, heads to CIT semis (with 4 video interviews)

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Men's Basketball Advances to CIT Semifinals After 57-50 Win At Northern Iowa
Dia nets 17 points and grabs a career-high 21 rebounds

March 21, 2011

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (SMU) - Papa Dia had 17 points and grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds as SMU defeated Northern Iowa 57-50 in the quarterfinal round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament at McLeod Center Monday night. The Mustangs are the first team to advance to the CIT semifinals and will host either Santa Clara (21-14) or San Francisco (19-14) at Moody Coliseum on March 25 at 7 p.m.

Dia had 16th double-double of the season and 29th of his career. The senior had 15 points and 12 rebounds heading in to the half. His 21 boards were the most by a Mustang since Jon Koncak collected 21 rebounds in 1985.

Collin Mangrum and Robert Nyakundi added 11 points each. Mangrum also had three rebounds and five assists, while Nyakundi went 3-of-5 from behind the arc to extend his new school record of 3FG made in a season to 93.

After falling behind in the opening minutes, the Mustangs regained the lead 4:26 in to the game and never looked back. SMU has won three postseason games in the same year for just the second time in school history (1956 team won three to advance to the NCAA Final Four).

The Mustangs outrebounded Northern Iowa 30-24, and turned in their best defensive effort of the season. They held the Panthers to 14-for-51 from the field - 5-of-25 from beyond the arc - while Ahelegbe led Northern Iowa with 18 points.

For tickets to Friday's CIT semifinal game, call 214-768-4263 or click here.

NEXT GAME: SMU will host a CIT semifinal game against either Santa Clara (21-14) or San Francisco (19-14) at Moody Coliseum on March 25 at 7 p.m.

TEAM NOTES
20 wins on the season, most since 1999-00 (21-9)
- SMU's ninth 20-win season

SMU has won three postseason games in the same year for just the second time (1956 team won three to advance to the NCAA Final Four)

SMU is 18-6 when shooting better than its opponent

SMU is 10-3 when shooting at least 50 percent

SMU hit 7 3FG, extending a new school record for team 3FG made (268) in a season
- (Record was 215 in 2006-07)

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Papa Dia
- Had his 16th double-double of the season and 29th of his career
o Had 15 pts and 12 rebounds at the half
- Grabbed career-high 21 rebounds
o First Mustang to have 20+ rebounds since Jon Koncak had 21 on 1/30/85
o Is now 4th all-time at SMU in career rebounds (906)
o Is 6th at SMU for rebounds in a season (330)
o Has 15+ rebounds in three of the past four games
o Had 28th game with 8+ rebounds, and 17th game with 10+ rebounds
o Has grabbed 8+ rebounds in 23 of the past 25 games
- Scored 17 pts
o Is 12th all-time at SMU in career points (1433)
o Is now 3rd for points in a season at SMU (635)
o Reached double-digits for the 32nd time in 34 games this season
o Is 12th in career FG made (547)
o Is 6th for FG made in a season at SMU (241)
- Had 2 blocked shots
o Has 78 blocks this season, 4th at SMU for a single season
o Is 5th at SMU in career blocks (143)
- Is now t-2nd at SMU in career games played (123)

Collin Mangrum
- Scored 11 points
o Had his seventh double-digit game of the season
- Grabbed 3 rebounds
- Added 3 assists

Robert Nyakundi
- Scored 11 points
o Reached double-digits for the 25th time this season
- Was 3-5 on 3FG
o Now shooting .489 (93/190) on the season
o Has made 93 3FG this season, extending a new school record for 3FGM in a single-season
o Is 4th all-time at SMU in 3FG made (179)
- Added a rebound, 2 assists and a block

Mike Walker
- Scored 7 points
- Made 1 3FG
o Is 8th all-time at SMU in 3FG made (129)
- Added 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a block
- Is now t-6th at SMU in career games played (119)

[PonyPride]

Please forgive the brain cramp when I called Northern Iowa "Northern Illinois" — can't remember the last time I did an interview at almost 2 AM! (Thankfully, Collin just rolled with it as if nothing had happened — he's quite the pro.)



And courtesy of the SMU athletic department:

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Wow. Thanks, PP - best SMU coverage anywhere...

[RGV Pony]

Two things. One, props to PP and to Doh..they must have filmed this interview at about 1am.

Two, from the sounds of it, SMU paid for the charter and not a booster. As Doh said, props to Turner & Orsini for stepping up

[PonyKai]

Two things. One, props to PP and to Doh..they must have filmed this interview at about 1am.

Two, from the sounds of it, SMU paid for the charter and not a booster. As Doh said, props to Turner & Orsini for stepping up

I think that's another positive to take away from this whole experience. Tangible evidence that administration and/or boosters are throwing their weight behind the program and giving it support in various ways. Good to see.

[PonyPride]

Two things. One, props to PP and to Doh..they must have filmed this interview at about 1am.

More like 2 AM (I need a nap).

[Mitch McConnell]

Did you see in PP first interview with Doherty that the coach mouthed

"HOW BOUT IT HOOPFAN!!!

[PonyFan]

Wow. Thanks, PP - best SMU coverage anywhere...

And it's not even close.

Go elsewhere, and you get to see stories about some high school kids who might or might not be Mustangs. On PonyFans.com, you get this — 2 AM interviews with the the 20-win Mustangs.

Great job, as always.

[Lotus]

There's one site worth paying for, and it's free.

This team is on a hell of a ride. I'll be there Friday!

[The PonyGrad]

PonyPride, your dedication is an inspiration to us all.

Thanks.