MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Semi Ojeleye scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and SMU held off Memphis 58-54 in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams on Tuesday night.
Trailing by three at halftime, Memphis rallied to a 41-40 lead on Markel Crawford's 3-pointer, trailed, then led 45-44 after K.J. Lawson made two free throws. Shake Milton's 3-pointer put SMU up 49-45 with 6:03 left, then Sterling Brown hit a 3 for a 54-48 SMU lead.
Memphis closed to 54-52 on Jeremiah Martin's two free throws and a layup, but Brown iced it with two free throws for the Mustangs.
Brown scored 14 points with six assists and Milton added 10 for SMU (11-3), which held a 44-25 rebounding advantage but scored only four second-chance points off 15 offensive boards.
Martin scored 16 points and Dedric Lawson added 14 for Memphis (9-4).
SMU has won seven games in a row.
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