Men’s Basketball Topples SMU, 80-72

Wednesday, February 19

New Orleans

7 p.m.

Tulane University

11-15,3-11AAC

SMU

18-7,8-5AAC

SMU

Tulane

Photo by: Parker Waters

Feb 19, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

NEW ORLEANS – The Tulane men's basketball team snapped a nine-game skid and picked up its third American Athletic Conference win of the season, 80-72, over SMU at Avron B. Fogelman in the Devlin Fieldhouse.

Teshaun Hightower led all players with 26 points and nine rebounds, marking his seventh 20-point effort of the season. Christion Thompson added 19 points and six boards, while K.J Lawson chipped in 14 points. Jordan Walker also reached double-figures with 11 points to complement a game-high six assists and four steals.

Tulane (11-15, 3-11 AAC) fell behind, 8-2, in the opening moments of the game, but Walker took control of the game for a series of possessions. The redshirt sophomore scored five points, came up with four steals and dished out three assists in just a few short minutes to ignite a 13-2 scoring run and give the Green Wave a 15-10 lead with 11:51 remaining in the first half.

SMU (18-7, 8-5 AAC) would slow the Wave's roll and crept back within one point on two occasions, but Tulane did not surrender the lead for the remainder of the period.

The Green Wave continued to excel in its half-court offense, getting to the free throw line 18 times before halftime, while the Mustangs shot 2-for-18 beyond the 3-point arc, as Tulane took a 27-23 lead into the intermission.

The Wave shot 8-for-19 (.421) from the field and made just one three but forced SMU into 10 turnovers and held the Ponies to just 9-for-29 (.310) from the floor.

Tulane exploded out the gate to begin the second half, sinking its first three shots to produce an 8-0 scoring run, extend the lead to double-digits for the first time, 35-23, and force SMU to call timeout just two minutes into the action.

Thompson buried his second trey of the half on the next possession to push the advantage to 15. Tulane made nine of its first 11 shots, including a scorching hot 5-for-5 beyond the 3-point line.

The Green Wave lead reached as many as 17 with 15:50 left and stayed in double-digits down to the 5:38 mark. That's when the Mustangs made their move, and despite Tulane shooting a season-best 21-for-25 (.840) at the free throw line in the second half, they forced twice as many turnovers as they committed in the second half and made timely shots to pull within five, 74-69, on a Mike layup with 1:04 remaining.

Tulane broke SMU's full-court press down the stretch, as the Mustangs were unable to make shots from the field, and the Wave made their free throws to close out the eight-point win.

The Green Wave finished the night shooting 21-for-37 (.568) overall, 7-for-15 (.467) from 3-point range and 31-for-43 (.721) at the foul stripe, while the Mustangs shot 22-for-60 (.367) overall, 6-for-36 (.167) from outside and 22-for-28 (.786) at the free throw line.

Tulane lost the turnover battle for just the second time in 26 games this season, 21-15, but owned a 32-29 rebounding advantage.

The Wave's 31 free throws made were their most since making 30 against Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 14, 2016, while their 43 attempts were the most since earning 40 against Colgate on Nov. 26, 2013.

SMU was led by Isaiah Mike's 18 points, as Tyson Jolly chipped in 16 points and Emmanuel Bandoumel added 15 more.

Up next, Tulane travels to Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, February 22 to face UCF. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT), and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane men's basketball (@GreenWaveMBB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.