DALLAS, Texas --- Houston Christian University dropped an 89-53 decision to SMU on Tuesday night in Moody Coliseum. The Huskies couldn't get untracked offensively and never recovered from big runs by the Mustangs to start each half.
The Huskies scored first on a layup by
Bonke Maring, but SMU responded with a 15-2 run, capped off by a Zhuric Phelps three-pointer from the corner that forced an HCU timeout before the first media. Back-to-back scores from
Pierce Bazil and
Marcus Greene would later cut the lead in half, but a Ricardo Wright triple pushed the lead to 13, 23-10 by the midway point of the first frame.
HCU couldn't get anything to fall, and soon found themselves in a big hole. A
Dominic Capriotti triple from the corner and a
Porter Bazil finish inside cut the SMU lead to 16, but the Ponies responded quickly. A dunk from Sam Williamson was followed quickly by a steal and score from Phillips, restoring the 20-point advantage for the hosts. SMU finished the first half hitting 7-12 from the arc in taking a 49-24 lead into the break.
The second half got off to a similar start as the first, as SMU used a 14-7 run to open things up by the first media and cruised to the victory. HCU struggled from the floor, shooting 34% for the game, including just 19% from long range. Conversely, SMU hit at a 51% clip on the night, and ended 10-26 from long range. There were just 19 free throws combined on the evening for both clubs.
The Huskies were led by
Michael Imariagbe, who recorded his fourth straight double-double effort with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Marcus Greene finished with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists, while
Pierce Bazil had a dozen as well.
Porter Bazil chipped in eight points and six rebounds, both career-highs.
SMU (8-4) was led by Sam Williamson's 18 points, pacing a quartet of Ponies in double-figures. Keon Ambrose-Hylton had 12 points and three blocked shots, while Zhuric Phelps and Ricardo Wright each had 11.
HCU falls to 2-8 on the season. The Huskies will finish off the two-game road trip as well as the non-conference slate on Friday night, traveling to College Station to take on Texas A&M at Reed Arena. Tip-off with the Aggies is scheduled for 7 pm.
#DawgsUp
