Southern Methodist secured a hard-fought 77-76 win over Virginia Tech at Moody Coliseum, thanks in large part to a stellar performance from Boopie Miller. The Mustangs' guard scored 24 points and dished out 6 assists, leading his team to a narrow victory over the Hokies. Miller's impressive outing was complemented by solid showings from Samet Yigitoglu and Jaron Pierre Jr., who added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The first half saw SMU take a 39-38 lead into the break, with Miller already having made his presence felt. Virginia Tech's Jailen Bedford was equally impressive, scoring 22 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to keep the Hokies within striking distance. Bedford's efforts were supported by Jaden Schutt, who chipped in with 15 points, and Ben Hammond, who contributed 11 points and 5 assists.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. SMU's ability to maintain a slim lead was crucial, as Virginia Tech threatened to overtake them on several occasions. In the end, the Mustangs' narrow advantage held up, securing a 77-76 win.
The victory marks a significant Quadrant 2 win for SMU, who improve to 15-5 on the season. For Virginia Tech, the loss is a Quadrant 1 defeat, which could have implications for their tournament resume. The Hokies, now 16-6, want to bounce back from the narrow loss.
Boopie Miller's performance was the difference-maker here, as he consistently found ways to score and create for his teammates. His 24 points were a game-high, and his 6 assists helped to facilitate SMU's offense. Jailen Bedford was equally impressive for Virginia Tech, but ultimately, it was not enough to overcome the Mustangs' balanced attack.
This result will undoubtedly have an impact on the tournament chances of both teams. SMU's win over a strong Virginia Tech squad will bolster their resume, particularly given the narrow margin of victory. The Mustangs' ability to win close games will serve them well as the season progresses. For Virginia Tech, the loss is a missed opportunity to secure a high-quality win, but their performance will still be viewed favorably by the selection committee. As the season enters its critical phase, both teams want to build on this result and strengthen their tournament positions.