SMU dominates Washington State in Holiday Invitational final
- SMU pulled away in the second half to secure a 77-60 victory over Washington State.
- The Mustangs dominated the boards with a 51-25 advantage in rebounds.
- This win marks a strong performance by SMU, snapping Washington State's three-game winning streak.
In Palm Springs, California, on Wednesday night, the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs faced off against the Washington State Cougars in the Acrisure Holiday Invitational title game. The game featured strong performances from both teams, with SMU starting the contest with a slight deficit as they trailed 31-27 at halftime. However, the Mustangs rallied in the second half, showcasing their depth and strength on the boards. Boopie Miller emerged as a key player, contributing 16 points toward SMU's efforts. Additionally, Samet Yigitoglu had a notable performance, not only scoring 12 points but also securing 11 rebounds, which played a crucial role in their overall dominance in rebounding. The game saw SMU pull away late, outscoring the Cougars significantly in second-chance opportunities and points in the paint, where they achieved a 44-18 advantage. They shot 42% from the field overall and improved to 50% in the second half.