Derek Williams scored 13 points to lead Southern Methodist to a 59-54 victory over East Carolina on Wednesday night.
Papa Dia added 10 points and SMU (13-14, 6-7 Conference USA), which entered as the second-best scoring defense in the conference, held East Carolina to 38.8 percent from the floor (19-for-49).
The Mustangs led by 12 points with 12:23 remaining, but East Carolina went on a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 48-47 on Jamar Abrams' 3-pointer with 6:57 to play.
Mouhammad Faye countered with a 3 and a 51-47 lead with 6:37 left and Robert Nyakundi's 3 gave SMU a 56-51 advantage with 1:10 remaining.
SMU hit seven 3-pointers and won despite going 3-for-6 from the free throw line in the final 27 seconds.
Brock Young scored 14 points and Abrams added 10 points for East Carolina (9-18, 3-10), which was 5-for-21 from the 3-point line (23.8 percent).
