Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

GAME NOTES: The SMU Mustangs will try to continue their winning ways when they battle the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles this evening in a Conference-USA tussle at Reed Green Coliseum.

The Mustangs pushed their league mark to 3-3 with a recent, 70-60 decision over Memphis. It was the fourth straight win for SMU, which is just 2-2 on the road this season.

After starting with four straight conference losses, the Golden Eagles have won two straight league matchups, defeating East Carolina (68-53) and Tulane (58-40). The majority of success for Southern Miss has occurred at home, where the team is 7-1 on the year.

The Golden Eagles hold a slim 4-3 edge over SMU in the all-time series, but the Mustangs snapped a three-game slide against Southern Mississippi with a 67-65 victory in the last meeting.

The Mustangs have played better as the year has progressed and head into this matchup averaging a mediocre 68.8 ppg, behind a respectable 46.9 percent shooting effort. Derek Williams is leading the team with 17.0 ppg and 72 assists, while Papa Dia is contributing 12.1 ppg, to go along with a team-best 8.2 rpg. The last time SMU was on the floor the team only shot 40.5 percent from the floor, but connected on 33-of-38 attempts from the foul line, en route to a 10-point win over Memphis. Williams led the way in the win with 25 points, while Dia added a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles can attribute their success this season to their solid play defensively, as Southern Mississippi is limiting the opposition to just 60.5 ppg and a mere 39.7 percent shooting effort. Southern Mississippi continued its tenacious defensive play in the team's recent win over Tulane, as the Golden Eagles held the Green Wave to just 40 points en route to an 18-point decision. The stingy defensive approached overshadowed Southern Mississippi's lackluster effort at the other end of the floor. The Golden Eagles shot just 37.0 percent in the contest and committed 19 turnovers, but used a 21-of-23 showing from the foul line to earn the victory. Angelo Johnson led the way with 20 points in the win, while Buchi Awaji tallied 13 points. Gary Flowers only tallied six points and 10 rebounds in the win, but the forward is still pacing the squad with 14.3 ppg and 8.0 rpg.

The Mustangs have played well of late, but on the road against Southern Miss might be too tough of a task for SMU. This will likely be a close matchup, but the Golden Eagles should get the win.