Box Score Santa Clara, CA-Once again senior Marquis Baker tries to carry his team in his second game back scoring a game-high 24 points. Baker's valiant efforts wouldn't be enough as the Braves drop their sixth straight contest to SMU 67-52.
The Braves jumped out to an early 5-0 lead by connecting on five of six free throws. Baker scored seven of the Braves first eight points to keep the Braves ahead 8-4. The Braves almost went the entire first half without hitting a 2-point basket until senior
Anthony Nieves hit a floater in the paint but it was all about SMU for the remainder of the game.
Led by Jalen Jones' 10 first half points, the Mustangs took over the game at the 7:54 mark with Jones scoring on a layup. SMU forced 19 turnovers and went into the locker room with a 33-23 lead. The Mustangs didn't miss a single free throw in the first half shooting 10-10 from the line.
The Braves continued to play the first five minutes of the second half poorly and the Mustangs fed off the Braves mistakes to increase their lead out of the locker room 39-25.
Nieves hit a 3-pointer with 8:30 to go in the game to cut the lead to nine but SMU's Nick Russell answered with a 3-pointer of his own to extend the league back to 12 which sealed the deal for the Mustangs.
Only one free throw was missed by the Mustangs. They went 20 for 21 from the line.
The Mustangs (9-4) were led by Jones's 19 points. Russell and Shawn Williams added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Baker was the only player for Alcorn to score in double figures.
The Braves (2-11) are back in action next Thursday, Dec. 27 as they make the trip to Buffalo, NY to face Canisius in the third game of the Chevrolet Gotham Classic. Tip-off is at 6pm.
