Pierre Jr. and Miller ignited SMU's offense, combining for 41 points and crucial second-half surges to dominate Pitt in a commanding victory.
SMU’s offensive firepower was on full display Saturday, and it started with two guards playing at an elite level.
Jaron Pierre Jr. and Boopie Miller combined for 41 points as the Mustangs pulled away from the Pittsburgh Panthers with an 86-67 victory, showcasing why SMU sits among the ACC’s most dangerous scoring teams.
Pierre Jr. delivered one of his most efficient outings of the season.
The junior finished with 21 points on a near-flawless 8-of-11 shooting performance, adding five rebounds while consistently finding space in the lane. He elevated his play after halftime, scoring 14 points in the second half and not missing a single shot as SMU turned a close game into a runaway. His ability to score without forcing the action was a major difference-maker.
Miller complemented Pierre perfectly. The dynamic guard poured in 20 points while doing a little bit of everything else, dishing out nine assists and recording three steals. Miller’s pace-setting presence fueled SMU’s transition game, and his 11 second-half points helped ignite a decisive run that blew the game open. Whether finishing at the rim or creating for teammates, Miller controlled the flow.
Samet Yigitoglu added a strong interior presence, scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds. His work inside helped SMU dominate the paint, where the Mustangs outscored Pitt 44-26. That interior balance prevented the Panthers from keying solely on the perimeter.
As a team, SMU shot 57 percent from the field and knocked down 43 percent from three-point range, but the individual execution stood out most.
Pierre and Miller combined to shoot 16-of-22, turning efficiency into separation.
Pittsburgh was led by Cameron Corhen, who scored 15 points, while Barry Dunning Jr. chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds. Still, the Panthers struggled to keep pace with SMU’s tempo and shot-making.
With the win, the Mustangs improved to 16-7 overall and remained firmly in the ACC hunt. SMU now turns its attention to a home matchup with Notre Dame on Tuesday, carrying momentum built on standout individual performances.