Ponies leave Houston victorious

By Brandon Hampton

Senior guard Damon Hancock, suffering from flu-like symptoms, sank two free throws to seal a Mustang 63-61 win over the Rice Owls Saturday.

Hancock labored through much of the game, resulting in what was arguably his worst performance of the season. Hancock shot 4-17 from the floor, but ended the game with 20 points, one point shy of his season average. He turned it around scoring 16 points in the second half.

The Owls took a 33-21 advantage into halftime. Head coach Mike Dement was not pleased with his team's first half effort and made it known in the lockerroom.

"He was pretty animated," junior guard Quinton Ross said. "He said the way we played wasn't acceptable."

The speech served its purpose. SMU turned up the defensive pressure and held Rice scoreless for a 6:30 span in the second half. The Mustangs led 42-37 when Rice's Omar-Seli Mance finally hit a three-pointer.

Ross continued his high level of play. He led SMU in scoring with 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Freshman forward Billy Pharis scored a season-high seven points and made a big shot down the stretch. Pharis hit a three-pointer with about two minutes left that put the Mustangs on top for good, 60-57.

The story of the game was still Hancock's bittersweet night. Hancock committed seven turnovers and had only one assist. At halftime, he had more turnovers (five) than points (four). He made only one of his eight three-point attempts. With his team's lead cut to 62-60, Hancock committed a charging foul in the lane with 44 seconds remaining.

"It's kind of been an up and down season," Hancock said.

Hancock stuck with it and what has usually been his weakness became a strength on Saturday. He made 11-15 free throws, a place where he has struggled much of the season. Hancock also grabbed a critical rebound in the waning moments of the contest.

"That's just heart and determination," Hancock said, "that we came in here and won on their home court."

Dement was displeased early, but thought the defense saved the game in the second half.

"We were a little stunned early," Dement said. "In the beginning of the second half, we turned our defense into offense."

SMU forced 21 Rice turnovers. The turnovers resulted in 28 points, while Rice only scored 12 points off Mustang turnovers. In a tale of two halves, SMU struggled from the field. They shot 28 percent in the first half and 45 percent in the second half. The result was a 37 percent night from the floor.

Freshman guard Justin Isham was not with the team. He traveled to Chicago due to a death in his family.

Hancock missed Thursday's contest versus Tulsa. He had to return to the team's hotel due to the same flu-like symptoms. Tulsa won the game 87-69. Isham scored 12 points starting in place of Hancock.

Having split their road stint, SMU is now 13-11, 8-6 in the WAC. They will face Nevada (15-9, 8-6) at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 at Moody Coliseum.