Forward Brittany Gilliam goes up against a Houston defender in a 61-50 win. (Daneya Ammon)

For the second time this season, the Green Wave got the best of the Mustangs with a late push.

In the first match-up on Jan. 14, Tulane took advantage of poor free-throw shooting and a late 6-0 run to defeat the Mustangs by five, 63-58.

Last night the Mustangs again had issues making free throws. The team’s usual 76 percent from the free-throw line turned into a mere 56 percent.

The Mustangs also allowed Tulane to make more free throws than SMU attempted. That was the difference in the 78-72 loss.

Both teams shot 44 percent from the floor, and the Mustangs outshot the Green Wave from the three-point line by 26 percent, making nine of 16 attempts.

SMU led by as many as 10 points with just 6:44 left in the game, but an 8-0 run for the Green Wave cut the lead to two and put Tulane within striking distance.

And strike they did. The Mustangs’ final lead of the game was 66-65 with 2:59 left in the game, but Tulane went on a 5-0 run to take a 68-66 lead and didn’t give it back.

Janielle Dodds led the Mustangs with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Joining Dodds in double-digit scoring were Jillian Samuels with 14, Sharee Shepherd with 13 and Elbie Gates with 10.

But that wasn’t enough to combat Tulane’s distribution of points. Eight players scored for the Green Wave, and all eight had at least five points. Only seven Mustangs scored and Alice Severin scored just two points.

But at the end of the game, it was free throws that made the difference. The Green Wave made 82 percent, and the Mustangs made just 56 percent.

SMU will look to get back on track Saturday in El Paso against the UTEP Miners. Tip-off is at 8 p.m.