Mustangs end streak with a win (Photo By John Schreiber, The Daily Campus)

In the midst of a three-game losing streak, including two in a row at home, the SMU men’s basketball team looked to reverse its fortunes Saturday night in its first-ever meeting with fellow Conference USA newcomer Central Florida.

The Golden Knights brought a formidable recent history into Moody Coliseum as champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference and NCAA tournament participants in 2005.

However, this year’s Golden Knights (10-13, 4-6 C-USA) entered the game in a similar situation to that of the Mustangs (12-12, 4-7 C-USA), having dropped four of their last five.

They would fare no better in Dallas as Bryan Hopkins’ 23 points led SMU to a 21-point rout, 77-55.

The Mustang men also lived up to their season-long billing as “Swat City,” registering seven blocked shots on the game as Donatas Rackauskas and Bamba Fall each recorded a pair.

Fall’s 45 blocks on the season breaks the record of 43 set by Ira Terrell in 1973.

“We seemed to respond better to adversity tonight,” coach Jimmy Tubbs said after the game. “Tonight’s game was much more complete, and we dug ourselves out after the three-game losing streak.”

Tubbs shifted his starting lineup to add more size and a greater defensive presence, inserting 6-foot-8-inch forward Ike Ofoegbu in place of guard Derrick Roberts. Ofoegbu responded with aggressive play on both ends, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking two shots.

The switch also allowed Devon Pearson to move to the perimeter, where he posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

“Ike brought more of a defensive presence and better chemistry,” Tubbs said. “Devon’s move to the perimeter also put more bounce in his step.”

Both teams displayed their athleticism early with several fast break chances and electrifying dunks, but Hopkins and the Mustangs deflected the pressure from the Central Florida backcourt. The senior from Dallas scored five consecutive points to put SMU up 26-13 with just over eight minutes to play in the first half.

Marcus Johnson’s basket brought the Golden Knights back to within five with just over four minutes to play, but Roberts responded with a steal and a layup that gave the Mustangs their largest lead of the half at 36-20.

A full court press early in the second half didn’t bother SMU’s guards, as Hopkins and Pearson paced the Mustangs on a 9-4 run out of the gate.

Central Florida found themselves in a deeper hole when point guard Mike O’Donnell went down with a knee injury five minutes later, and the Mustangs opened their lead from there.

SMU forced 16 turnovers on the game and held the Golden Knights to just 35 percent shooting from the field.

Every Mustang player scored in the game, led by Hopkins and Pearson in double figures.

Josh Peppers came off the bench to score 14 points for the Golden Knights, and Troy Lindbeck added 12 on four three pointers.

Lindbeck, a senior guard, is the nephew of SMU men’s soccer coach Schellas Hyndman.

SMU plays two of its final three regular season games on the road but will play its final home game of the 2005-06 season Saturday against UAB.

This year’s senior night will honor brothers and Dallas products Bryan and Ryan Hopkins.