HARTFORD, Conn — When the final buzzer of No. 12 SMU’s AAC Tournament semifinal game against Central Florida hit, Mustangs fans everywhere could let out a sigh of relief.
24 hours earlier, SMU avoided what would have been a disastrous start to its postseason campaign, holding off an East Carolina team that rallied from a 22-point deficit to tie the game with 57 seconds remaining.
Thanks to a game-high 36 point performance by junior forward Semi Ojeleye, the Mustangs pulled out the win, earning the right to play another game and another night at the plushy Hilton adjacent to the XL Center.