In Dallas, the SMU Mustangs rallied to erase a halftime deficit and got late-game heroics from Jaron Pierre Jr. as they upended the Butler Bulldogs, 87-85. Pierre Jr. drove to the hoop and finished a tough reverse layup to break an 85-85 tie with less than 5 seconds remaining in the game. Butler's Finley Bizjack had a shot from deep to steal the win, but his shot was off the mark, and the Ponies escaped with a win. Five players scored in double figures for Andy Enfield's crew, led by Kevin "Boopie" Miller's 23 points on 9-13 shooting to go along with 12 assists and 3 steals in the win. Pierre Jr added 18 points and 7 rebounds while Samet Yigitoglu and B.J. Edwards each chipped in 14 points for the Mustangs. Mitchell Holmes scored 10 points on 5-6 shooting in the win.
