RECAP: SMU uses big plays to rally past UAB, 72-69
The Mustangs got a clutch 3-pointer from Ricardo Wright (:55.7) and two Zhuric Phelps free throws (:3.9) inside the final minute as SMU rallied past UAB Sunday evening at Moody Coliseum.
Score: SMU 72, UAB 69
Record: 15-7, 6-3
Next Game: at Rice, 7:00 pm Wednesday (ESPN+)
Player(s) of the Game: This is a 3-way tie between Chuck Harris, Phelps and Sam Williamson. Harris scored nine of his 14 in the second half and ignited the comeback. Williamson had some really good floor plays that helped SMU take the lead. Phelps with the game-tying three-pointer and two clutch free throws in the waning seconds remaining helped the Mustangs pull it out.
Leading Scorers: Harris (14, five assists), Phelps (14), Williamson (14, 7-12 FG, 2ST)
Sequence of the Game: Down 63-54 with 6:13 to play, the Mustangs ended the game on an 18-6 run. The Blazers finished the game 1-7 shooting in that stretch.
The rest of the story: Maybe if this was on the road, SMU would have buckled. A 32-27 halftime lead disappeared quickly in the second half. The Blazers were hot in the second half and led by 12 (57-45) with 9:13 to play. However, SMU’s defense found a way to put some frustrations behind it and tightened things up in order to make the comeback. A team that needed to make plays did. A Phelps baseline 3-pointer with 2:29 to play tied the game at 65. A Harris layup – when he thought about a jumper and saw the lane open – gave SMU a 67-65 lead with 1:55 to play. Then Williamson got in the middle of the floor and created a steal. Although it was chaotic, SMU’s true final offensive possession ended when Ricardo Wright hit a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer. Finally, Phelps’ clutch free throws were the winning plays.
Notable Stat I: After starting the second half 5-15 (33.3 percent), the Mustangs finished 10-16 (62.5) for rest of the half to finish shooting 48.1 percent in the final 20 minutes.
Notable Stat II: The Mustangs had 19 assists for 28 (67.9) made field goals. Coaches will take that every night.
Final Word: After losing their first six games by single digits, the Mustangs have won their last two. And this one had a little more context to it because SMU had to make winning plays down the stretch and hit free throws. The Mustangs did. Maybe it was the law of averages. But for a team that’s taken several gut punches this year, it now knows what it feels like to be on the winning side of these games. Maybe it will be contagious. A team has to start somewhere. For as much frustration as Williamson has created, he was huge down the stretch. His effort on a rebound on a play where it went out of bounds off of him showed how engaged he was. He was also responsible for creating the turnover at midcourt on the play that eventually led to Wright’s 3-pointer to beat the shot clock. Perhaps that Come to Jesus discussion he had with head coach Rob Lanier changed him. You’re only as good as your last win. SMU now needs to take it on the road Wednesday in Houston at Rice.
