SMU’s tale-of-two-teams season took a positive turn towards consistency with a 79-72 win over San Jose State. The struggling Spartans (3-10, 0-4) were just what the Mustangs (6-7, 1-2) needed to win their first road game of the season.
Senior guard Quinton Ross and freshman point guard Bryan Hopkins combined for 45 points, proving too much for the Spartans to contain.
SMU dominated much of the first half, jumping out to a 16-4 lead. SMU exploited San Jose State’s full court pressure, scoring several easy points early.
The Mustang lead stretched to 24-9 before the Spartans went on a 15-2 run. After ten minutes of play, SMU sat on a seven point lead. Hopkins gave the Mustangs a boost when he was able to convert a four-point play.
The Spartans tied the score at 32-32 late in the first half. The fullcourt press that the Mustangs had exploited began to cause turnovers from SMU’s guards. When the first half came to a close, the ponies led 38-36.
The second half was played to a near draw. San Jose State tied the game three times in the half, the latest coming with only 1:58 to go in the game. Knotted at 71-71, SMU scored six straight points on a lay-up sophomore forward Patrick Simpson and four free throws from Hopkins and Ross.
Simpson finished the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Ross scored 20 points and added 13 rebounds. His 19.3 points per game rank second in the WAC.
Hopkins’ 25 points was a career high. He made four of his seven three-point attempts. Hopkins has come on strong since sitting out against Wake Forest on Dec. 15. He has averaged 19 points over the last seven games.
SMU returns home when to take WAC-leading Fresno State at Moody Coliseum at 7:05 p.m. on Jan. 16.