Kario Oquendo shines as SMU defeats Alabama State 101-72

On December 3, 2024, the Southern Methodist University Mustangs faced off against the Alabama State Hornets in a college basketball game held in Dallas, Texas. The Mustangs delivered a commanding performance, securing a decisive victory with a score of 101-72. Leading the charge for SMU was Kario Oquendo, who demonstrated exceptional skill by scoring 20 points on an impressive shooting percentage of 87.5%, including four successful three-pointers. His performance, alongside contributions from teammates Chuck Harris, Matt Cross, and Samet Yigitoglu, who each scored 12 points, showcased the team's offensive depth and effectiveness throughout the match. The Mustangs entered the contest with a record of 7-2, looking to build momentum in their season. The game unfolded with SMU establishing an early lead, aided by an 11-0 run that included three consecutive three-pointers from Oquendo, Harris, and Cross. This surge enabled the Mustangs to take control of the match at 25-18 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half. Alabama State fought to reduce the deficit, with Tyler Mack’s two three-pointers bringing the Hornets within two points, but SMU responded emphatically, scoring 13 points to Alabama State's 2, ending the first half with a comfortable 49-39 lead. The Mustangs maintained their advantage throughout the second half, effectively keeping the Hornets at bay. For Alabama State, Amarr Knox was the standout performer, scoring 17 points, while Shawn Fulcher contributed 12. However, the team's overall performance was hampered by Boopie Miller, who had been leading SMU in scoring prior to this game. Miller managed only four points, shooting poorly at 1-of-12 from the floor and 0-for-7 from beyond the arc, which was a significant drop from his season average of 17.0 points per game. The inability of key players on Alabama State’s roster to convert their opportunities ultimately hindered their competitiveness against the Mustangs. With this victory, SMU marked the third time this season that they surpassed the 100-point mark in a single game. The strong showing against Alabama State illustrates the Mustangs' offensive capabilities and solidifies their reputation as a formidable opponent in college basketball. As the season progresses, the team will look to build on this success and secure additional victories as they aim for a respectable postseason run.