SMU pulls away from Monmouth (NJ) in 63-51 win

Southern Methodist guard Nic Moore drives to the basket in the second half against Monmouth.

DALLAS (AP) — Nic Moore scored 23 points and dished out five assists to lead SMU to a 63-51 win over Monmouth on Sunday night.

Moore was 9 of 15 from the floor, including a trio of 3-pointers on six attempts, and sank the layup that sparked a 12-2 run to close out the first period and give SMU (4-3) a 32-21 advantage at the break. The margin never tightened below double digits throughout the second half in a game that marked the first meeting between the programs.

Cannen Cunningham contributed 10 points and five rebounds for the Mustangs, who scored 14 points on Monmouth's 16 turnovers and shot 45.1 percent from the floor.

Monmouth (2-4) closed the gap to 20-19 on a 3-pointer from Josh James with 8:04 to go before intermission, but couldn't contain SMU's breakaway response.

Deon Jones led the Hawks with 13 points and eight rebounds.

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