SMU ended its 5-game losing streak Wednesday night, defeating the East Carolina Pirates 77-58.

SMU shot 11-21 from 3-point range, a much needed boost after shooting just 2-15 in its most recent game – a loss at UCF.

Jahmal McMurray led the Mustangs in points with 20, but SMU got a team effort in its win as each starter scored in double digits. Ben Emelogu chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

SMU burst out of the gates on fire and did not look back. The Mustangs scored the game’s first 11 points and held a 20-point lead with 8:48 remaining in the first half.

ECU started off the second half on a 7-2 run to cut SMU’s lead to 13, but the Mustangs quickly regained momentum. A spree of technical fouls on ECU put Emelogu on the line for six free throws, all of which he drained. After the freebies, SMU led 56-30.

The win was SMU’s first since it last played ECU, on January 28. It was also the team’s first since Shake Milton went out with a hand injury.

Next, the Mustangs will return to Moody Coliseum to host No. 13 Wichita State. Don’t expect Milton back for that one, as Tim Jankovich is unsure if the star guard will return this season.

“I don’t know if he’s coming back,” Jankovich said on the ESPN broadcast after the game. “I don’t want him to play injured.”