SMU Upsets No. 21 Louisville in High-Scoring Affair

Jaron Pierre Jr. and Boopie Miller lead the Mustangs to victory over the Cardinals

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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In a fast-paced showcase between two of the Atlantic Coast Conference's top scoring offenses, Southern Methodist University defeated No. 21 Louisville 95-85 on Tuesday night in Dallas. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 25 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for the Mustangs, while Boopie Miller added 23 points and 9 assists. SMU shot an impressive 58.5% from the field and hit 9 of 19 three-pointers to outlast the Cardinals, whose 5-game winning streak came to an end.

Why it matters

This upset victory over a ranked Louisville squad boosts SMU's NCAA Tournament hopes as they look to secure a bid to the Big Dance. The high-scoring affair also highlighted the offensive firepower of both teams, which could make for an exciting postseason run.

The details

SMU led 52-49 at halftime after making 6 straight shots to close the first half. The Mustangs then hit 6 consecutive shots in the second half to build an 89-81 lead with 3:15 remaining. Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr. scored a game-high 29 points, but the Cardinals committed a season-high 17 turnovers, including 12 in the second half, as SMU's defense wore them down.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Jaron Pierre Jr.

A fifth-year guard for SMU who scored 25 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the victory.

Boopie Miller

An SMU guard who finished with 23 points and 9 assists.

Mikel Brown Jr.

A freshman guard for Louisville who led all scorers with 29 points, but also committed a season-high 7 turnovers.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a high-scoring game, but our guys really stepped up and made the plays we needed down the stretch.”

— Tim Jankovich, SMU Head Coach (macon.com)

What’s next

SMU will look to build on this signature win as they continue their ACC schedule, while Louisville will aim to rebound from the loss and get back on track.

The takeaway

This thriller between two of the ACC's top offenses showcased the exciting brand of basketball that fans can expect to see in the upcoming conference tournament and NCAA Tournament. SMU's balanced attack and defensive intensity proved to be the difference in handing Louisville its first loss in over a month.