SMU, ineligible for postseason, takes Las Vegas Classic title in stride — PHOTOS
There were no ladders. The nets remained intact on the rims at Orleans Arena. There would be no Gatorade bath for the 75-year-old coach.
Given the fact this was the only basketball tournament Southern Methodist could win this season, it was a bit strange the Mustangs' celebration was somewhat muted after they defeated Colorado 70-66 on Wednesday night to capture the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic title. SMU is barred from postseason play because of violations committed by the program, meaning no NCAA Tournament or American Athletic Conference tourney.
The Mustangs (11-0) happily posed with the trophy, smiles aplenty. Coach Larry Brown had that look of relief on his face, having just gotten the best of Tad Boyle, whom Brown had coached at Kansas in the mid-1980s.
The loss ended an 11-game winning streak for Colorado (11-2).
"I'm really proud of our guys," Brown said. "They hit 12 3s against us, and we still found a way to win. That doesn't happen too often.
"But the values we've put in since we've been here are we try to defend, we try to share the ball and we try to play for each other.
"We didn't share the ball well, but we defended when we had to, and when it really mattered, they came through."
SMU trailed 57-52 with 6:38 remaining, but the Mustangs didn't panic. They turned up the defensive pressure to get back into the game and outscored Colorado 18-9 the rest of the way.
Guard Nic Moore, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, scored eight of his 16 points down the stretch.
"I think our poise and our character, we just stayed humble and in the moment," Moore said. "We knew if we could get a couple of stops that we could get the control back."
It was disheartening for the Buffaloes, who were looking to maintain the momentum they had built in the past few weeks with Pacific-12 Conference play looming next week. They got within 68-66 with 18 seconds to play, but Shake Milton made two free throws with 13.6 seconds left.
"We didn't get the stops when we needed to to close them out," Colorado's Xavier Talton said. "But I have great respect for those guys and for Coach Brown."
Colorado started well, shooting much better than it did against Penn State on Tuesday. The Buffaloes hit their first five 3-pointers and led 19-12 after eight minutes.
The Mustangs responded with an 8-0 run in a 3:40 span to lead 20-19. By halftime, SMU led 35-30, as it adjusted nicely by double-teaming any Colorado player when he caught the ball on the block and didn't allow a clean look inside.
SMU, which played only eight players, also did a good job of staying out of early foul trouble, allowing Brown to maximize the use of his starters, particularly in the second half.
But the Mustangs still had to deal with a short bench, and fatigue might have played a role in their second-half offensive woes. Still, they found a way, and with Moore making plays and his teammates doing just enough, they stayed undefeated and won the only tournament they'll play in all season.
"It's special," Moore said. "They (the NCAA) took away something that we love, and we're just trying to go out and prove to everyone who we are.
"We got a trophy, and that's good enough. We don't need the nets."
* Penn State 75, Kent State 69 — Senior forward Brandon Taylor scored a career-high 29 points as the Nittany Lions (9-4) won the consolation game.
Josh Raves' dunk with 4:29 to play broke a 59-59 tie, and Penn State outscored the Golden Flashes 14-10 the rest of the way. Jimmy Hall led Kent State (7-4) with 15 points.
* Canisus 83, Nicholls State 74 — Kassius Robertson led the Golden Griffins (8-6) with 20 points, and Jermaine Crumpton scored 18. Ja'Dante' Frye led Nicholls (4-8) with 17 points.
* Hampton 75, Louisiana-Monroe 64 — The Pirates (5-6) got 19 points apiece by Quentin Chievous and Brian Darden. Majok Deng led Monroe (5-7) with 16 points.
— Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him: @stevecarprj
