Chuck Harris' Big Night Paces Ponies to Big Win Over FSU

SMU may have just put ACC on notice they will be competitive in new conference

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — SMU got a win Saturday night over Florida State that just may be bigger than the 68-57 final score would indicate. Nobody will want to look that far ahead right now, but you can bet everybody in the ACC noticed, especially with the game being broadcast on the ACC Network

Chuck Harris scored a season-high 24 points to lead the Ponies to a road win over a future conference opponent. The Seminoles probably aren't really a title contender in the ACC, but it did show progress for Rob Lanier's team. The AAC schedule this year is tough enough to keep anyone from worrying about next season.

Harris made 9 of 15 shots, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range, for the Mustangs (7-4). He added six rebounds and four assists. Zhuric Phelps and reserve Tyreek Smith had 10 points apiece. Smith had 10 rebounds to notch his second double-double this season.

Harris hit two 3-pointers and scored nine points to lead SMU to a 25-18 advantage at halftime. Florida State shot 22% from the floor before intermission and made just 1 of 13 from 3-point range.

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Phelps made 3-of-4 free throws and followed with a layup to give the Mustangs a 34-22 lead less than four minutes into the second half. SMU led by double digits the rest of the way.

Darin Green Jr. and reserve Primo Spears led the Seminoles (4-5) with 10 points each in the first of seven straight games at home. Green made 4 of 11 shots - 2 of 7 from distance. Spears missed 12 of 14 shots but was 5 for 5 at the free-throw line.

SMU came into the game holding its opponents to 37.5% shooting from the floor under second-year coach Rob Lanier. The Mustangs held the Seminoles to 31.1% shooting (19 for 61), including 4 for 22 from beyond the arc (18.2%).

Florida State will host North Florida on Tuesday. SMU, which will join the Atlantic Coast Conference next season, returns home to play Houston Christian on Tuesday.

Information from SMU Sports Communications is included in this story.

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