The Mustangs improved to 15-9 and 8-3 in Conference USA after defeating the University of Memphis Tigers in a 71-57 battle last night in Tennessee.

The Tigers continue to occupy the bottom spots in play and stand at 9-15 and 2-9.

Having lost their two last games in conference play, and surrendering the top two spots in conference rankings, the Mustangs continue to occupy the third spot with the University of Houston.

Memphis took their only lead of the game just seven minutes into the first half, going up 21-19 before SMU regained the lead for the remainder of the game.

Up 40-31 over the Tigers, SMU shot 54 percent from the field and went 4-8 in threes in the first half, also draining six of their eight free throws. Memphis posted similar stats, shooting 54 percent in field goals and 80 percent in free throws, but hit only one of their five attempted threes.

The Mustangs gained their largest lead of the game with a 16-point lead just four minutes into the second half after going off on a 10-0 point run.

Junior Delisha Wills had a team-high of 22 points, followed by SMU’s season leading scorer, Brittany Gilliam with 19 points. Memphis’ leading scorer, Paris Leonard had 16 points on the night.

SMU will be back in action on Sunday to host the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers at 2 p.m.