SMU Places Third In Hoops For Hope Classic

SMU defeated Missouri State 62-61 on Sunday night. Get the recap inside!

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — Nick Russell scored 25 points and SMU beat Missouri State 62-61 Sunday in the third-place game of the Hoops for Hope Classic.

Russell was 9 of 15 from the field.

Jalen Jones had 17 points and seven rebounds. Ryan Manuel added nine points.

SMU (6-1) led by two at halftime, 26-24, in a game that saw three lead changes and four ties. The largest lead at any time was nine points. The Mustangs took the lead for good when Russell hit a jumper with 10 seconds left.

Marcus Marshall missed a 3-pointer, and Brian Bernardi grabbed the rebound to end the game.

Both teams scored 22 points in the paint, and the Bears (2-4) got 26 points off turnovers. But the Mustangs shot 51 percent for the game, while the Bears shot 42 percent.

Anthony Downing had 20 points and eight rebounds. Marshall added 18.