SMU basketball rolled past Sam Houston State Saturday night at Moody Coliseum, 85-50, giving the Mustangs a 1-0 record to start the season and a win in Larry Brown’s first game away from the team on suspension.

SMU put up 40 points in the first half, making 54.2 percent of its field goals. Ben Moore led the Mustangs in first half points with 15 and six rebounds, three on offense and three on defense.

Nic Moore also had a solid first half, making the team’s only three-point shot and three free throws, totaling eight points. Keith Frazier added another six points and two rebounds.

The Mustangs came out hot in the second half after a couple early turnovers, playing at a much quicker pace than they showed in the first half of the game. Markus Kennedy went scoreless in the first half but got his first two baskets in the first four minutes of the second half. SMU scored 45 points in the second half, and held the Bearkats to only 31 second-half points.

Ben Moore led the team in rebounds, with eight. His 15 points were second to Malik “Shake” Milton, who scored 17 points in his college debut. Despite scoring only eight points in the game, Nic Moore became the 37th player to score 1,000 points in SMU basketball history.

The Mustangs’ intensity during the game showed their heart and desire to win, regardless of the NCAA sanctions.

“We’re playing under unusual circumstances because they’ve already been told they’re not going to a postseason tournament,” fill-in Head Coach Tim Jankovich said. “I think it’s a tribute to their character that the team played like a team that is trying to prove itself that it should be playing in the postseason.”

SMU’s next game will be at Stanford Nov. 19 at 9:30 p.m. The game can be caught on ESPN2.