Southern Miss
SMU
Southern Miss Cruises Past SMU, 81-61
2/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 20, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Jeremy Wise had 22 points to lead Southern Miss to a 81-61 victory over SMU Wednesday night at Reed Green Coliseum.
The 22-point output, which included 18 in the first half, gave Wise 1,007 points on the year, becoming the 31st and fastest player in Golden Eagle history to score 1,000 career points.
Southern Miss has now won four of its last five games.
"I really feel we are getting better," said Southern Miss head coach Larry Eustachy. "Jeremy Wise is playing as well as he has played since he's been here. R.L. Horton got better as the game went on. We made some progress. When we are really concentrating and executing the right way, we're a good team."
After, Courtney Beasley opened the game with a lay-up off the opening tip, SMU hit two straight three-pointers to take a 6-4 lead. However, Jeremy Wise hit two free throws and jumper to send the Golden Eagles on a 17-3 run.
After trading buckets, Wise hit his second three-pointer of the half to trigger a 19-2 to close the half with a 46-22 advantage. Southern Miss was 17-of-29 from the floor in the first half, hitting 58.6% of its shots.
Southern Miss opened the second half on a 12-3 run, leading by as many as 37 points midway through the half, putting to rest any chance of the Mustangs coming back.
Horton had 18 points with four rebounds and four assists. Courtney Beasley added 13 points with a team-high five assists.
SMU was led by Jon Killen and Bamba Fall with 12 points. Alex Malone had 11 points, and Papa Dia added 10.
Southern Miss heads back on the road for a two-game road swing. The road trip begins on Saturday, February 23, when the Golden Eagles face Tulane at 6:00 p.m. (CT) at Fogelman Arena.
