Golden Eagles end long road losing streak
Published 5:14 pm Thursday, January 11, 2007
Jeremy Wise scored 11 points to help lead Southern Mississippi to a 57-56 win over SMU on Wednesday night.
The Golden Eagles (11-3, 1-0 Conference USA) took the lead for good with 92 seconds left on a layup by Andre Stephens.
Then they survived two missed shots by the Mustangs (11-4, 0-1): a 3-pointer from Jon Killen and a jumper by Derrick Roberts just before the buzzer.
Courtney Beasley was the only other Southern Miss player in double figures with 10 points. DeWayne Green added six points and seven assists for the Golden Eagles.
Four players reached double figures in scoring for the Mustangs, led by 12 apiece from Devon Pearson and Ike Ofoegbu. Roberts scored 11 points and Killen added 10 points and six assists.
Ofoegbu grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, including eight offensive boards. Bamba Fall blocked six shots.
The Mustangs trailed by 21 points near the end of the first half, but outscored the Golden Eagles by 17 points in the second half to make it close. SMU’s last field goal came with 4:29 remaining.
The Golden Eagles now return home, where they are unbeaten at 10-0 this season and have won 11 straight overall at Green Coliseum. Nationally-ranked Memphis comes calling Saturday for a Conference USA game that is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Memphis meets Houston in league play tonight.