Second half surge catapults SMU past Pirates

A 10-0 run to start the second half sent ECU to an 82-54 loss in its American Athletic Conference opener

ECU's Seth LeDay battles an SMU player for a loose ball on the floor during Wednesday's AAC loss to the Mustangs (Vladimir Cherry/Moody Coliseum photo)

DALLAS — Jahmal McMurray had 20 points and four assists and SMU blew past East Carolina 82-54 in an American Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday night.

Jimmy Whitt Jr. scored 17 points, Isiaha Mike and Nat Dixon added 11 points each and Ethan Chargois chipped in 10 as the Mustangs (9-4) improved to 7-0 when at least four players score in double digits. McMurray had his third 20-plus game of the season.

Jayden Gardner led ECU (7-6) with 16 points and seven rebounds, and Tyler Foster added 11 points.

The Mustangs took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by McMurray with 7:02 remaining in the first half and SMU led 35-25 at halftime.

SMU doubled its lead in the first two minutes of the second half with McMurray contributing seven points in a 10-0 run. The lead reached 30 points midway through the second half and the Mustangs cruised to their seventh win in the past eight games.

DALLAS (AP) — Jahmal McMurray had 20 points and four assists and SMU blew past East Carolina 82-54 in an American Athletic Conference opener on Wednesday night.

Jimmy Whitt Jr. scored 17 points, Isiaha Mike and Nat Dixon added 11 points each and Ethan Chargois chipped in 10 as the Mustangs (9-4) improved to 7-0 when at least four players score in double digits. McMurray had his third 20-plus game of the season.

Jayden Gardner led ECU (7-6) with 16 points and seven rebounds, and Tyler Foster added 11 points.

The Mustangs took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by McMurray with 7:02 remaining in the first half and SMU led 35-25 at halftime.

SMU doubled its lead in the first two minutes of the second half with McMurray contributing seven points in a 10-0 run. The lead reached 30 points midway through the second half and the Mustangs cruised to their seventh win in the past eight games.

“I’ve done this a long time and that’s about an interesting a start to the second half as I’ve ever seen,” ECU coach Joe Dooley said. “They made a run and we didn’t respond.”