Tulsa upsets ‘Stangs (Photo by John Schreiber, The Daily Campus)

Bryan Hopkins tied the SMU record for career steals, and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (8-13, 3-5 C-USA) stole a game from the Mustangs at Moody Wednesday night, 55-51.

SMU (11-10, 3-5) shot a dismal 34.9 percent from the floor and 10 percent from behind the arc and got out-rebounded 35 to 29 in a game in which they could never quite get a flow going.

“We have to shoot the basketball better. We got some good looks, we just have to knock it down,” coach Jimmy Tubbs said after the game. “To get a good flow, you have to make shots.”

̢۬Bryan Hopkins, whose three steals were good enough to tie Gerald Lewis for the Mustangs all-time record of 209, led the Ponies with 11 points. Hopkins and forward Donatas Rackauskas, who came off the bench, were the only players for SMU to score in double digits. For SMU to win, it must score. The team is 1-8 when scoring less than 70 points, and 8-0 when scoring more than 70.The Mustangs jumped out to an early five-point lead on the Hurricane, who managed to fight its way back with aggressive rebounding and three consecutive three point baskets to take a 13-5 lead.

Shooting 30 percent in the first half, SMU did not regain the lead until there were less than 10 minutes remaining in the game. Tulsa led by 10 early in the first half, but SMU managed to close that lead to three by halftime.

Defensively, the Mustangs played well. Rackauskas had two blocks, and freshman Bamba Fall recorded four before coming down awkwardly on his knee and sitting most of the last six minutes. Sophomore Jon Killen also played with high energy in his 13 minutes, coming up with a crucial steal late.

“Jon played well tonight,” Tubbs said of the back-up guard. “He continues to give us good D.”

The officiating also had an affect on the low score of the game. The crew called the game tightly, with multiple traveling calls that drew loud protests from both coaches. Both teams were in double bonus by the end of regulation.

Golden Hurricane forward Anthony Price fouled out with one minute 42 seconds remaining, and two other Tulsa players each had four fouls.

A questionable non-call with under a minute remaining hamstrung an SMU comeback when a Hurricane player, under pressure from a Mustang full-court press, appeared to commit an over-and-back. Officials let the play continue, prompting an uproar from the crowd of 3,373. Tubbs and several Mustang players thought a violation should have been called.

“In my opinion [it was the wrong call],” guard Hopkins said after the game. “But, he’s a professional at making calls.”

“I thought it was an over-and-back,” Tubbs said. “The official said if he missed it he was sorry.”

The men travel to Houston (15-6, 5-3) Saturday, where they hope to earn their first road win since Jan. 24. Their next home game is Wednesday, when they host the Marshall Thundering Herd (9-12, 2-6).