Islanders Unable to Slow Speedy Mustangs

DALLAS – SMU caught fire in the final seven minutes of the first half to create separation and grab a 91-54 decision from the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball program Monday at Moody Coliseum.
 
It was the first road game of the season for A&M-Corpus Christi (1-1), which trailed just 19-16 with 7:59 to go in the first half. SMU (2-0) answered with a 14-0 run and the Islanders could never get momentum back on their side.
 
The Islanders were led by senior Perry Francois, junior Rasheed Browne and sophomore Jordan Hairston who scored eight points apiece. Francois also dished out a career-high four assists.
 
Feron Hunt scored a game-high 19 points for the Mustangs. Ethan Charois and Kendric Davis each had double-doubles.
 
The Islanders led early 6-3 after a three by senior Myles Smith and an old-fashion three-point play by Browne. Though, the Mustangs answered with a big 14-0 run to lead 17-6 at the 11:39 mark as the Islanders went cold from long range.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi started to hit shots midway through the half and responded with seven straight points, which included a three by junior Javae Lampkins to cut it to 17-13 with 9:43 left. A three-pointer by Browne further chipped into the deficit 19-16 with 7:59 to go.
 
Despite a jumper from junior Simeon Fryer, the Mustangs went on a 14-2 run to go back up 33-18 with 3:13 remaining. SMU ended the half with a 14-4 spurt and took a 47-22 edge into the break.
 
The Mustangs opened the second half on a 9-0 run to extend the advantage to 56-22. They pushed it up to 69-28 with 11:02 left.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi went on an 11-2 run midway through the second, capped by a pull-up jumper by Hairston to trail 72-41 with 7:11 remaining.
 
The Islanders will remain on the road Wednesday when they tip-off the South Texas Showdown against UT Rio Grande Valley at 7 p.m. as part of a doubleheader. A&M-Corpus Christi won both meetings last year and are 14-9 all-time against the Vaqueros.
 
NOTES
- It was just the second-ever meeting between the Islanders and Mustangs and first since Dec. 31, 2008 when SMU came out on top 92-62.
 
- Browne was tabbed Honorable Mention for SLC Player of the Week earlier in the day. It came after he averaged 15.5 points and 6.0 rebounds last week in games against Texas A&M-International and Texas State.
 
- Francois' four assists doubled his previous career-high set four times.
 
- Smith ended 2019-20 ranked No. 39 in the nation in free throw percentage with a .864 (89-103) mark. He was 2-for-2 in the game tonight.
 
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