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AAC Basketball: SMU survives on road to defeat Houston

By Andrew Nostvick

Feb 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) dunks against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) dunks against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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SMU overcomes a slow start early to rally back and defeat the Houston Cougars for their 10th straight AAC basketball win.

The SMU Mustangs had another sluggish start, although they didn’t have as large of a halftime deficit as they did Wednesday night versus Tulane.

SMU scored its 10th straight win Saturday evening when they defeated Houston at Hoffheinz Pavillion 76-66. The win keeps the Mustangs tied for first in the AAC with the Cincinnati Bearcats, who won earlier in the afternoon over Tulsa.

SMU got off to a rough start, shooting 1-for-7 from the field as Houston began the game with a 10-2 run. Both Rob Gray Jr. and Damyean Dotson had hot shooting hands and helped the Cougars get ahead by as much as 13 points in the first half. Gray had 23 points, while Dotson scored 19.

Perimeter shooting was a big reason why Houston got out to a big lead early as they were 4-for-7 from three-point range. SMU had the game tied close to the half, but Houston scored late to take a 30-26 lead into the break.

SMU pulled ahead thanks to a big second half by Semi Ojeleye, who scored 15 during that time to finish with 19 points. Ben Moore had a big game, as well, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds for the double-double.

Saturday’s win makes it two games in a row in which SMU had to overcome a double-digit deficit. Granted, this deficit wasn’t as high for SMU, but they can’t be playing from behind during these late season games.

The Mustangs don’t have it easier as they get a hot UConn team next. However, the game won’t be until next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the loss does little to help Houston. Bracketology projections don’t have Houston in. However, even if they had won, the selection committee probably won’t consider Houston for the tournament.

The Cougars have tough non-conference losses to both LSU and Harvard. The latter came at home.

Winning out might give Houston more consideration as they do have Cincinnati still on the schedule.

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However, the Cougars best hope is to get the automatic qualifier spot by winning the AAC tournament.

Houston stays home Wednesday night as they play Connecticut.