With 11:40 to go in the second half, Memphis guard Markel Crawford hit a three to give the Tigers their first lead since early in the game, 41-40. Five minutes later, Shake Milton would put the Mustangs back up by four with a three-ball of his own. Sterling Brown got in on the action with three minutes to go, hitting a shot from deep to put SMU up 54-48.
Key shots in big moments would end up deciding the low scoring conference opener between two long time rivals. SMU’s 58-54 win over Memphis on Tuesday night should serve as a reminder to every team in the American Athletic Conference – a reminder that while the AAC may not be the best conference in college basketball, wins still do not come easy.