SMU Advances to CIT Quarterfinals with Win Over Jacksonville

DALLAS (SMU) — Papa Dia had 24 points, including two free throws with 0.1 seconds on the clock, to give SMU a 63-62 win in the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) at Moody Coliseum on Saturday. There were four lead changes in the final 47 seconds culminating in the Dia free throws. The Mustangs advance to play at Northern Iowa in the CIT quarterfinal round on Monday.

Jacksonville (20-12) took its first lead of the game, 59-58, on a Delwan Graham layup with 47 seconds left. Jeremiah Samarrippas answered for the Mustangs (19-14) with a driving reverse layup and a free throw with 14.3 seconds remaining for a 61-59 edge. Travis Cohn put Jacksonville back up 62-61 on a step-back 3-pointer with four seconds on the clock. SMU called timeout at mid-court with 0.8 seconds left. After the timeout, Collin Mangrum found Dia near the basket. Dia was fouled by Graham on the shot to set up the free throws.

Dia hit 10-of-13 field goals as he led the Mustangs with 24 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Samarippas had a career-high 16 points and hit 3-of-3 from 3-point range.

Mike Walker had nine points and a career-high six assists. Walker, a native of Iowa City, will get to play close to home on Monday.

Cohn led Jacksonville with 22 points, all in the second half. Keith McDougald had 12 points and Graham finished with 11.

SMU shot 63.2 percent from the field and held Jacksonville to 35.1 percent. The Mustangs started 13-for-15 from the field and built a 31-10 lead. The Mustangs led 36-22 at halftime.