GAME THREAD for men's basketball vs. Tarleton State

[Charleston Pony]

Love this run and gun and share the ball style of play. SMU with 8 assists on 13 made FGs and shooting 72% to take this 38-13 lead

[Charleston Pony]

Out rebounding Tarleton 10-4 and our guys have 2 offensive boards on just 5 missed FGs

[PonyPride]

Boopie Miller 3 makes it a 30-point margin (43-13) with 6 minutes left in the first half.

[PonyPride]

Here's the ballgame:

Field goal shooting
SMU: 80% (8/10)
TSU: 33% (3/9)

The Mustangs have made more 3-point field goals (4) than TSU has made field goals (3)

SMU has cooled off to "only" 66.7% (16/24 from the floor) ...

... but so has TSU, to just 23.7% (4/17)

45-15 with 3:55 to go in the first half

[Charleston Pony]

My initial impression is that we have a deep roster that allows for a fast pace on both ends of the floor making this brand of basketball really fun to watch. Now what I'm looking for is will they keep up this level of intensity for the full 40 minutes. In the past, we've always relaxed when we get out to a big lead. Will the Enfield era be different and will this team have the killer instinct that has been lacking for years?

[PonyPride]

SMU fouls

Colbert: 3
Traore: 2

[PonyPride]

Oquendo creates the first poster of the year, climbing the ladder to throw down a strong, one-handed slam on a TSU defender.

[HorsePower]

Athletic marketing handing out pool noodles to distract free throw shooters

Pool noodles and beer.
Sounds festive.

[PonyPride]

Tarleton State has committed twice as many turnovers (10) as it has made field goals (5)

[Charleston Pony]

Can't be happy with the last couple of minutes play. SMU getting a little sloppy now

[PonyPride]

Miller misses a would-be 3 — from about 70 feet — at the buzzer

SMU leads, 51-28, at halftime.

[Charleston Pony]

Harris and Miller already in double figures with Edwards, Traore and Oquendo set to join them soon. Good offensive 1st half but things got sloppy in that last 5 minutes. Hope to see the same intensity we opened this game with in the 2nd half to put this one away early

[PonyPride]

SMU halftime leaders

Points: Harris (12)
Field goals: Miller, Harris, Oquendo, Edwards (3)
3-point FGs: Miller, Harris (2)
Free throws: Harris (4)
Rebounds: Traore (4)
Offensive rebounds: Ambrose-Hylton (2)
Assists: Miller (3)
Fouls: Traore, Colbert (1)
Turnovers: Ambrose-Hylton, Trayore (2)
Blocked shots: Colbert, Ambrose-Hylton (1)
Steals: Miller, Oquendo (2)
+/- : Oquendo (plus-22)

[Charleston Pony]

Primary ball handlers Edwards, Miller, Oquendo & Harris have 8 assists vs only 1 turnover. Off to a good start moving and distributing the ball. That group also has 5 steals.

[PonyPride]

GREAT hustle defense by B.J. Edwards, chasing Miles down from behind, knocking the ball away with an overhand chop like a linebacker on a quarterback, then diving to the floor to earn a jump ball -- nice way to endear yourself to a new coaching staff.