DALLAS (AP) -- Shawn Williams scored 17 points and Cannen Cunningham added 13 points and 13 rebounds to lead SMU to a 67-55 victory against Rice on Wednesday night.
Nick Russellhad 13 points for the Mustangs (14-14, 4-9 Conference USA), who shot 57 percent from the floor and enjoyed a 40-23 rebounding edge.
Tamir Jackson scored 20 points and Max Guercy 16 for the Owls (5-22, 1-12), who lost their seventh straight.
Rice was on an uphill climb for much of the game, thanks to a first-half stretch of 6:48 in which it didn't score. SMU led 35-20 at the break.
It was the Mustangs' final home game in Moody Coliseum, as it is currently constructed. The 57-year-old facility is undergoing a $47 million renovation that is scheduled to be complete by next season, when SMU begins play in the Big East.
SMU hits the road for its next game. The Mustangs take on UAB Saturday, Mar. 2 at 2 PM CT in Birmingham, Ala. Live video, live audio and live stats are available for the game at smumustangs.com.
TONIGHT IS FINAL GAME IN MOODY COLISEUM'S CURRENT CONFIGURATION: After 57 seasons, 9 conference championships and more than 500 wins, SMU men's basketball will play its final home game in Moody Coliseum's current configuration on Wednesday when the Mustangs host Rice at 7 p.m. SMU will also celebrate Senior Night prior to the game at the Coliseum, which is undergoing a $47 million expansion and renovation. The updated Moody Coliseum (newmoody.com) will feature new premium seating, as well as courtside retractable seating designated for students and renovation of the entry lobby and concourses. Technology improvements will include new video boards, scoreboards, sound system, broadcast capabilities and heating and cooling systems. In addition, office suites, restrooms and locker rooms will be upgraded. The renovation, which began on the north side of the Coliseum in August, will expand into the main building in early March. The building is scheduled to re-open in December 2013, prior to SMU's first game in the BIG EAST. The Mustangs final "home" game on Saturday, March 9, against UTEP will be played at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
SMU all-time record in Moody Coliseum: 512-263 (66.4%)
Mustangs attendance in 2012-13 - up 71.5% from 2011-12 - 2012-13 avg.: 3,452 - 2011-12 avg.: 2,013
SENIOR NIGHT - London Giles - Giles has played more than 50 games in his two seasons on the Hilltop, starting nearly half of them... He has contributed 7 points per game for his career and was the second-leading scorer for the Mustangs during the 2011-12 season... London currently ranks 13th at SMU in career 3-point percentage... Native of Dallas... Will graduate in May with a degree in applied physiology and sports management. Tonight's game: - Started for the 32nd time in an SMU uniform - Made his first 3 pointer of the game - came off a screen on the right wing, came off an assist from Nick Russell - 6 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds - Finished the game making 2 technical FTs, then got substituted for by Kevin Dunleavy
BOBBY MILLS: FIRST AND LAST SHOT IN MOODY On December 3rd, 1956, SMU hosted its first men's basketball game at SMU Coliseum, defeating McMurry, 113-36. Bobby Mills scored the first basket for the Mustangs. In celebration of the renovation of Moody Coliseum, Bobby Mills shot the final shot, a layup, after the game concluded.
NEXT GAME: SMU visits UAB - Saturday, March 2 - 2 p.m. - Bartow Arena (8,500) Audio: KAAM 770 AM Video: SMUMustangs.com
NEXT HOME GAME: SMU hosts UTEP - Saturday, March 9 - 2 p.m. - Curtis Culwell Center Garland, Texas Audio: KAAM 770 AM TV: TWC SportsChannel
TEAM NOTES - 14 wins and 4 C-USA wins ties SMU's totals from last season - Mustangs shot 56.8% (21-37) from the field, 3rd best FG% of the season - SMU all-time record vs. Rice - 120-77 - SMU has played Rice more than any other opponent (197 meetings) - Attendance = 3,280 - Larry Brown is: - 1667-1206 career record (includes NBA, ABA, USA Basketball and NCAA) - 191-75 in NCAA - 14-14 at SMU
INDIVIDUAL NOTES Cannen Cunningham (#15 - C - 6-10 - So.) - 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal - 2nd career double-double - 9-14 FTs - career highs in FTMs and FTAs - Played all 40 minutes
Jalen Jones (#21 - G - 6-7 - So.) - 5 points, 4 rebounds - Fouled out with 1:38 remaining
Ryan Manuel (#1 - G - 6-4 - So.) - 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists - 4-4 FTs, needs _4 FTMs to pass Jeryl Sasser for most by a sophomore in SMU history - Is currently 10th on the all-time single season FTMs list
Nick Russell (#12 - G - 6-4 - Jr.) - 13 points - 14th straight game with 10+ points - 3 rebounds - 4 assists
Shawn Williams (#2 - F - 6-7 - Jr.) - 17 points - 11th game this season with 10+ points - 17 points ties a career high - 6 rebounds - 3 blocks - ties career high
