B-roll of the SMU versus Rutgers home game. Filmed by Video Editor Kirby Wiley.

SMU had just 15 wins a year ago, but Tuesday night the Mustangs Men’s Basketball team matched that total with a 70-56 win over Rutgers University at Moody Coliseum.

Led by Markus Kennedy’s 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, SMU overcame a few minutes of poor shooting to lead almost the entire game. Kennedy has been on a tear during conference play, leading SMU in points and rebounds.

“I drove Jay Wright crazy at his practices. I really liked Markus. I think Jay felt he was going to be a great player, but it just didn’t work out. When you’re 300 pounds, it limits you,” SMU Head Coach Larry Brown said. “He’s much better physically. He got tired tonight. He had to come out a number of times, but he’s gotten better and better.”

SMU struggled to really get it going offensively and in the second half was inconsistent at times, which led to nine of the team’s 14 turnovers, but it was the team’s defense that continued to be its strong point of the team.

“We’ve been offensively challenged a lot this year. We have new people so it’s a work in progress,” Brown said. “The value on guarding great and playing great every night gives us a chance to win every night.”

First years Ben Moore and Keith Frazier also contributed to the win with both providing a spark off the bench.

Moore finished with 12 points and five rebounds while Frazier added eight points to the delight of the announced crowd of 6,042 fans.

Toward the end of the press conference, Brown did give an update on Yanick Moreira’s status, who is recovering from a torn MCL.

“They said three-six weeks. As a coach, I’m hoping it’s three. We don’t really know,” Brown said. “He’s anxious to get back. He says he’s feeling good. He’s lifting weights. I think he’ll be back sooner rather than later.”

The Mustangs face the University of Houston on the road Sunday at 2 p.m. CT in another AAC matchup on ESPNNews.