Smith scores 19, UCF upsets SMU after blowing big lead
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Collin Smith scored 19 points and UCF scored the final five points of the game from the foul line to upset SMU 61-58 after blowing a 22-point first-half lead on Wednesday night.
Smith made three of the late free throws, including one in the final minute and Brandon Mahan closed out the scoring with 29.7 seconds to go. But SMU missed two shots and had a turnover after taking a 58-56 lead on a Kendrick Davis 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 run with 1:47 remaining.
Darin Green Jr. scored 13 points and Mahan added 12 for the Knights (15-14, 6-11 American Athletic Conference). Smith was 9 of 11 from the foul line and grabbed seven rebounds.
Tyson Jolly scored 14 points for the Mustangs (19-10, 9-8). Isiaha Mike added 13 points and Davis had 13 points and seven assists.
Matt Milon opened the game with a 3-pointer, Green and Mahan hit two 3-pointers apiece and UCF scored the first 19 points of the game. SMU missed its first nine shots and didn't get on the board until the 11:08 mark. The lead reached 22 points with 3:30 to play and a late layup gave the Knights a 33-14 lead at the half.
SMU was 4 of 20 from the field, missing all seven 3-point attempts, and had eight turnovers. UCF was 6 of 16 from distance.
The Mustangs scored the first seven points of the second half and got within 42-35 on a Jolly 3 at the 12:29 mark. The rally was complete when Mike flushed a dunk, putting SMU on top 49-48 with 6:11 to play.
SMU shot 60% in the second half while UCF shot 33%, going just 1 of 9 behind the arc. The Mustangs finished 16 of 16 from the foul line in the game, the fourth time in school history they had a perfect game with at least 10 makes.
SMU defeated Central Florida 81-74 on Jan. 8. Central Florida finishes out the regular season against East Carolina at home on Sunday. SMU finishes out the regular season against South Florida on the road on Saturday.