SMU Basketball Rolls Past VMI 95-70 As Sellers Sparks Offensive Explosion

SMU basketball might have found its offensive rhythm, and Thursday night's performance should give Mustangs fans plenty of reasons to be encouraged.

Behind 21 points from Oziyah Sellers and a blistering performance from beyond the arc, SMU dismantled VMI 95-70 at Moody Coliseum in Dallas, improving to 2-0 in Andy Enfield's third season leading the program.

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Sellers was the headliner, knocking down five 3-pointers while shooting 7-of-11 from the field. But the real story was how effectively the Mustangs shared the basketball and created scoring opportunities throughout the lineup.

SMU connected on 14 of its 29 3-point attempts, shooting 48.3 percent from deep and 53.2 percent overall. The Mustangs also recorded 26 assists on 33 made baskets.

That's the kind of offensive efficiency Enfield wants to see as his team prepares for the challenges of ACC competition.

The Mustangs weren't perfect, however.

VMI stayed within striking distance early, trailing just 23-19 before SMU finally broke things open.

Billy White III connected from long range to ignite a 13-0 run, and Sellers finished the surge with another 3-pointer that pushed the lead to 36-19.

By halftime, SMU had built a comfortable 47-28 advantage.

The Mustangs' depth proved particularly impressive.

Jacob Patrick provided a huge lift off the bench, scoring 15 points in just 12 minutes while making all five of his 3-point attempts.

Jermaine O'Neal Jr. contributed 14 points, five rebounds and three steals, while Jakub Szumert added 12 points without missing a field-goal attempt.

Jaden Toombs, named to the preseason Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watch list, finished with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Collectively, the Mustangs demonstrated why their offensive potential could become a serious weapon this season.

Defensively, SMU made things difficult for VMI, holding the Keydets to 28.6 percent shooting and just five made 3-pointers.

TJ Johnson led VMI with 19 points, while Rickey Bradley Jr. added 13 and AJ Clark scored 11.

There are still concerns for Enfield, particularly the 19 turnovers SMU committed. More disciplined opponents will be better equipped to punish those mistakes.

And while a convincing victory over VMI doesn't automatically make SMU an ACC contender, the Mustangs are beginning to establish an encouraging offensive identity.

The combination of Sellers' perimeter shooting, Patrick's bench production and Toombs' interior presence gives SMU several ways to attack opposing defenses.

The next opportunity comes Tuesday, November 10, when the Mustangs host Prairie View A&M at Moody Coliseum.

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Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, with coverage on ACC Network Extra.

For now, SMU is unbeaten, its offense is clicking, and the Mustangs have plenty of momentum heading into their next test.