SMU builds off upset victory, wallops Boston College
Jaron Pierre Jr. was one of six players in double figures, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds and six assists as SMU rolled to a 94-70 ACC victory over Boston College on Saturday afternoon in Dallas, Texas.
Jermaine O'Neal Jr. led the Mustangs (19-7, 8-6 ACC) with 16 points and B.J. Edwards filed the stat sheet with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Samet Yigitoglu chipped in 15 points and six boards, Boopie Miller tallied 11 points and Jaden Toombs scored 10 as the Mustangs won their second straight and improved to 15-2 at home.
Boston College (9-18, 2-12) lost its eighth consecutive game despite 20 points from Fred Payne. Boden Kapke and Jason Asemota each scored 10.
After a first half that featured four ties and 10 lead changes, the Mustangs never trailed in the final 20 minutes of action.
An 8-0 run helped SMU push its lead to double digits at 54-42 when O'Neal knocked down a jumper with 14:24 left.
Miller's jumper with 8:44 remaining stretched the SMU lead to 73-52.
Riding the high of a home win over No. 21 Louisville on Tuesday, the Mustangs aimed for a fast start against the Eagles.
But effective 3-point shooting propelled Boston College in front 12-11 with 14:21 to play. The Eagles' Kapke, Payne, Luka Toews and Chase Forte all knocked down shots from distance.
Edwards knocked down the Mustangs' first 3-pointer with 8:43 to go for a 26-23 lead but it wasn't long before the Eagles wrestled back control of the momentum.
A 9-0 run featuring three consecutive long-range shots, including two straight from Asemota, turned a 29-27 deficit for BC into a 36-29 advantage with 2:45 to play.
An 11-0 run turned the tide in SMU's favor, the spurt punctuated by Pierre, who drilled a shot from beyond the arc before a defender could get to him as time expired.
Pierre scored off a feed from Edwards in transition and the Mustangs led 40-36 after a wild first half.