SMU junior Artem Baradach returning a volley during match play at Turpin Tennis Center. (Michael Danser/ The Daily Campus)

The SMU men’s tennis team (14-10) is gathering steam as the Conference USA tournament approaches.

The Mustangs defeated their second ITA-ranked team of the season when they finished off cross-town rival No. 63 Texas Christian University (8-10) Tuesday in a match that started more than three weeks ago.

The match started off in the Mustangs favor,  with SMU claiming the doubles point prior to the match being postponed. SMU then received a free point when TCU’s Christopher Price had to withdraw from No. 5 singles due to injury.

Juniors Darren Walsh and David Costa sealed the victory for the Mustangs, winning straight set victories in No. 4 and No. 2 singles, respectively. For Walsh, it was his ninth consecutive victory in singles. He has not lost a match since University of Texas defeated SMU back at the beginning of March.

Junior Artem Baradach, ranked No. 57 in the nation, was unable to put away Emanuel Brighiu, despite leading in the first set, 6-5, when play resumed. Brighiu picked up the point for the Horned Frogs in three sets, 7-6, 2-6, 1-0 (10-8).

The Mustangs will close out the season against Rice this Sunday at noon. The match will mark the end of a nine-match home stand for SMU, in which the Mustangs have gone 6-2.