SMU cruises to conference win over Tulane

Published Jan. 12, 2013 9:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

DALLAS (AP) -- Nick Russell's 13 points led a balanced scoring effort Saturday in SMU's 59-53 victory over Tulane.

Russell added seven assists for the Mustangs (11-7, 1-2 Conference USA), who also got 10 points apiece from Jalen Jones, Ryan Manuel and London Giles. SMU improved to 6-2 at home, with its two home losses coming by a total of four points.

Ricky Tarrant scored 24 points for the Green Wave (12-5, 0-2). Josh Davis added 15 points and 11 rebounds but also committed eight of Tulane's 21 turnovers. The Green Wave made just five baskets in the first half and 14 in the game, shooting 32 percent from the floor.

Owing to both teams' offensive struggles, Tulane led 14-9 with 8 minutes left in the first half, but SMU rode an 18-3 run to a 29-19 halftime lead and cruised from there. The Mustangs led by as many as 14 after halftime.