SMU hangs on to beat Rice (with VIDEO)

[PonyPride]

SMU Postgame Notes – Feb. 27, 2013
SMU 67, Rice 55
SMU (14-14, 4-9 C-USA), Rice (5-22, 1-12 C-USA)
Moody Coliseum (8,000)
Dallas, Texas

TONIGHT IS FINAL GAME IN MOODY COLISEUM’S CURRENT CONFIGURATION:
After 57 seasons, 9 conference championships and more than 500 wins, SMU men's basketball will play its final home game in Moody Coliseum's current configuration on Wednesday when the Mustangs host Rice at 7 p.m. SMU will also celebrate Senior Night prior to the game at the Coliseum, which is undergoing a $47 million expansion and renovation. The updated Moody Coliseum (newmoody.com) will feature new premium seating, as well as courtside retractable seating designated for students and renovation of the entry lobby and concourses. Technology improvements will include new video boards, scoreboards, sound system, broadcast capabilities
and heating and cooling systems. In addition, office suites, restrooms and locker rooms will be upgraded. The renovation, which began on the north side of the Coliseum in August, will expand into the main building in early March. The building is scheduled to re-open in December 2013, prior to SMU's first game in the BIG
EAST. The Mustangs final "home" game on Saturday, March 9, against UTEP will be played at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.

SMU all-time record in Moody Coliseum: 512-263 (66.4%)

Mustangs attendance in 2012-13 – up 71.5% from 2011-12
- 2012-13 avg.: 3,452
- 2011-12 avg.: 2,013

SENIOR NIGHT – LONDON GILES
- Giles has played more than 50 games in his two seasons on the Hilltop, starting nearly half of them… He has contributed 7 points per game for his career and was the second-leading scorer for the Mustangs during the 2011-12 season… London currently ranks 13th at SMU in career 3-point percentage… Native of Dallas… Will graduate in May with a degree in applied physiology and sports management.
Tonight’s game:
- Started for the 32nd time in an SMU uniform
- Made his first 3 pointer of the game – came off a screen on the right wing, came off an assist from Nick Russell
- 6 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds
- Finished the game making 2 technical FTs, then got substituted for by Kevin Dunleavy

BOBBY MILLS: FIRST AND LAST SHOT IN MOODY
On December 3rd, 1956, SMU hosted its first men's basketball game at SMU Coliseum, defeating McMurry, 113-36. Bobby Mills scored the first basket for the Mustangs. In celebration of the renovation of Moody Coliseum, Bobby Mills shot the final shot, a layup, after the game concluded.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook – /SMUMustangs, /SMUBasketball
Twitter – @SMUMustangs, @SMUBasketball, @LarryBrownSMU, #PonyUp
YouTube.com/SMUMustangsAthletics

NEXT GAME:

SMU visits UAB – Saturday, March 2 – 2 p.m. – Bartow Arena (8,500)
Audio: KAAM 770 AM
Video: SMUMustangs.com

NEXT HOME GAME:
SMU hosts UTEP – Saturday, March 9 – 2 p.m. – Curtis Culwell Center
Garland, Texas
Audio: KAAM 770 AM
TV: TWC SportsChannel

TEAM NOTES

14 wins and 4 C-USA wins ties SMU’s totals from last season

Mustangs shot 56.8% (21-37) from the field, 3rd best FG% of the season

SMU all-time record vs. Rice – 120-77
- SMU has played Rice more than any other opponent (197 meetings)

Attendance = 3,280

Larry Brown is:
- 1667-1206 career record (includes NBA, ABA, USA Basketball and NCAA)
- 191-75 in NCAA
- 14-14 at SMU

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Cannen Cunningham (#15 – C – 6-10 – So.)
- 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal
- 2nd career double-double
- 9-14 FTs – career highs in FTMs and FTAs
- Played all 40 minutes

Jalen Jones (#21 – G – 6-7 – So.)
- 5 points, 4 rebounds
- Fouled out with 1:38 remaining

Ryan Manuel (#1 – G – 6-4 – So.)
- 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
- 4-4 FTs, needs _4 FTMs to pass Jeryl Sasser for most by a sophomore in SMU history
o Is currently 10th on the all-time single season FTMs list

Nick Russell (#12 – G – 6-4 – Jr.)
- 13 points – 14th straight game with 10+ points
- 3 rebounds
- 4 assists

Shawn Williams (#2 – F – 6-7 – Jr.)
- 17 points – 11th game this season with 10+ points
o 17 points ties a career high
- 6 rebounds
- 3 blocks – ties career high

[Hilltopper]

Speaking on behalf of PonyFans who live out of town and don't get to see almost any games, and obviously don't have access to talk to the coaches and players, these videos are very much appreciated. Keep up the great work.

[Charleston Pony]

agree wholeheartedly