Palm Springs, California — In a gripping contest, SMU triumphed over Washington State with a score of 77-60 during the Acrisure Holiday Invitational championship on Wednesday night. Boopie Miller spearheaded the Mustangs’ efforts, contributing 16 points to the victory. Samet Yigitoglu made a significant impact as well, recording a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

In addition to Miller and Yigitoglu, Chuck Harris also played a crucial role, adding 14 points to the scoreboard. B.J. Edwards and Kario Oquendo chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively, as SMU improved its record to 6-2. The Mustangs demonstrated offensive efficiency by shooting 42% overall, with a more impressive 50% in the second half. They also completely dominated the rebounding game, securing 51 rebounds compared to Washington State’s 25, and recorded a staggering 22 offensive rebounds, leading to a 21-6 advantage in second-chance points. Furthermore, SMU outscored the Cougars 44-18 in the paint.

Nate Calmese was the standout player for Washington State, scoring 15 points. Both Ethan Price and LeJuan Watts contributed with 12 points apiece. The Cougars, who now hold a record of 6-2, heavily relied on their three-point shooting, attempting 33 shots from beyond the arc and successfully making 10 of them while shooting 37% overall. They managed to keep their turnovers to a season-low of eight, but struggled in the interior, as nearly half of their points came from long-range shooting. This defeat marked the end of their three-game winning streak.

Washington State started strong, leading 31-27 at halftime. The Cougars extended their lead to seven points with Price’s three-pointer at the beginning of the second half. However, the tide turned when SMU took control, seizing the lead for good at 43-42. A pivotal 10-0 run, featuring six crucial points from Yigitoglu, allowed the Mustangs to stretch their lead to 16 points with just a few minutes remaining in the game.