Junior guard Nick Russell plays in a game against Texas Christian University on Nov. 15. (SMU Athletics)

The SMU men’s basketball team pushed its record to 3-0 with a 78-75 win over Texas State Saturday night.

SMU survived a late rally from Texas State – showing dramatic improvement at the free throw line down the stretch compared to the team’s performance at TCU two nights earlier.

SMU team was 24-28 from the free throw line for the night.

SMU got another big performance from junior Nick Russell, who finished with 25 points.

Equally impressive was Jalen Jones who added 24 for the Mustangs.

The 24 points are Jones’ career high, surpassing his 21 against TCU.

Jones also tied his career-high three blocks against Texas State.

Another player that impressed head coach Larry Brown Saturday was Cannen Cunningham.

“Aside from Ryan [Manuel] and Nick [Russell], Cannen [Cunningham] was the difference, I thought-his interior defense the second half.” Brown said after the game.

The Mustangs led almost the entire night, and had a 39-32 lead at halftime.

However, SMU had to survive a late-game comeback that even had coach Brown on edge.

Joel Wright, who was the high man on the night with 28 points, led Texas State in its comeback.

There were two keys to the Mustangs’ victory over Texas State.

The team was able to manage the tough Texas State pressure as the game went along even though the team did surrender some turnovers.

The bigger advantage came on second-chance points where the Mustangs outscored the Bobcats 12-10.

Next up for the Mustangs is a home game against Malone College in the Hoops for Hope Classic.

According to Brown, SMU was Mustangs were originally scheduled to play Alcorn State.

Since the Mustangs are already scheduled in a tournament with Alcorn the team had to change its opponent.

Undefeated SMU takes on Malone at 8 p.m. Monday in Moody Coliseum.

The team will also play Rider at home at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the tournament.