Late Heroics Lead Mustangs To 65-64 Win Over Florida Gulf Coast

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DALLAS (AP) — Ryan Manuel’s steal and layup with 21 seconds left capped a comeback from a 17-point second-half deficit, and SMU beat Florida Gulf Coast 65-64 on Saturday.

SMU had taken a 63-62 lead on a 3-pointer by Robert Nyakundi, whose 18 points and eight rebounds led the Mustangs (2-2), with 2:17 left. But Chase Fieler hit two free throws with 1:50 to play to put the Eagles (2-2) back on top.

Manuel then stole the ball from Sherwood Brown for the winning basket. The Eagles had two chances at the end, but Bernard Thompson and Brett Comer missed jumpers.

Jalen Jones added 15 points for the Mustangs. London Giles had 11.

Florida Gulf Coast led 49-32 with 15:28 left after a fast-break dunk by Dante Holmes, but couldn’t hold the lead. The Eagles’ Christophe Varidel led all scorers with 20 points, and Thompson added 11.

The Mustangs return to the hardwood Monday, Nov. 21 when they travel to Tulsa, Okla. to take on Oral Roberts in the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.