SMU uses program record 26 steals to shut down Arkansas State

BJ Edwards notched a triple-double with 24 points, 13 assists and 10 steals as SMU earned a dominant 100-69 victory over Arkansas State on Friday in Dallas, Texas, to remain undefeated.

The Mustangs (6-0) built a 22-point lead late in the first half and cruised to victory, thanks to a combination of a balanced offensive attack and a swarming defense.

SMU forced 32 turnovers that it converted into 51 points and recorded 26 steals in the game, surpassing the old program record of 19.

Arkansas State pulled within 79-63 on a 3-pointer from Royal Blue Smith with 8:10 to play, but SMU responded with back-to-back dunks from Jermaine O’Neal Jr. and Samet Yigitoglu and three free throws from Boopie Miller to counter any thoughts of a comeback.

Miller finished with 17 points, Jaron Pierre Jr. had 15, Yigitoglu scored 14, Corey Washington added 13 and O’Neal scored 11 in the win. It was the second straight game the Mustangs had six players score in double figures and the fourth straight game where at least five players scored in double figures.

Edwards is the first Mustang to record a triple-double since 2018.

TJ Caldwell scored 20 points and Christian Harmon added 16 for the Red Wolves (3-3).

A pull-up jumper by Harmon four minutes into the first half tied the score at 9, but that was the last time the Red Wolves came close. The Mustangs then scored nine of the game’s next 11 points, with Yigitoglu’s short jumper at 11:58 giving SMU a 20-11 advantage.

Edwards’ free throw with 7:20 left in the half expanded the Mustangs’ lead to 15 points. SMU kept its foot on the metal, going up 22 on Yigitoglu’s dunk with 1:10 left before settling for a 50-30 lead at the break.

Pierre led the Mustangs with a dozen points before halftime while Edwards had 10. SMU shot 56.8 percent from the floor during the half, but its biggest advantage was forged by its defense, which forced 16 turnovers that it converted into 25 points in the first half.

Harmon led the Red Wolves with 10 points in the first 20 minutes of play.

–Field level media