SMU crushed Boston College 94-70 as six Mustangs scored in double figures and the frontcourt dominated the paint 46-20.
DALLAS - When SMU shares the ball and plays fast, it looks like a problem nobody in the ACC wants to deal with.
That was the case Saturday as the Mustangs turned a tight first half into a runaway, blasting Boston College 94-70 with one of their most complete performances of the season.
Six different Mustangs scored in double figures, seven had at least eight points, five grabbed five or more rebounds and three handed out at least four assists. The ball popped, bodies moved and the Eagles eventually ran out of answers.
Head coach Andy Enfield admitted there was a brief hiccup before halftime when the offense stalled.
“We went through a lull in the first half, took some tough shots, the ball wasn't moving. Everybody that caught it stuck for a little bit,” Enfield said. “Once we got out of that, we went back to our offense the way we're supposed to play and have been playing most of the season, and it was really good.”
Down seven late in the first half, SMU flipped the switch, closing the half on an 11-0 run. The Mustangs carried that momentum into the second half with a 14-6 burst and never looked back.
The stat that jumps off the page: 22 assists on 34 made baskets. Boopie Miller dished seven, Jaron Pierre Jr. added six and B.J. Edwards had four.
“We're a very good offense when we share the basketball and when we push the pace,” Enfield said. “Our one-on-one, our playmaking and our decision-making has really improved when we get sped up.”
Jermaine O’Neal Jr. provided the spark off the bench, pouring in 16 points in just 21 minutes.
“I just try to play within the offense. I don't really want to force any bad shots or anything,” O’Neal said. “It feels great. I've been waiting for my one, like, big-time ACC game.”
Inside, SMU was overwhelming. The Mustangs outscored Boston College 46-20 in the paint. Samet Yigitoglu (6-of-7) and Jaden Toombs (6-of-6) combined for 28 points, continuing a dominant stretch near the rim.
“We dominate in the paint every game, so we've just got to keep dominating,” Yigitoglu said.
Now SMU heads west to face Cal and Stanford - a road swing few ACC teams have conquered. If Saturday’s version shows up, the Mustangs won’t just compete. They’ll control it.