Mustangs stumble at Clemson in 74-70 loss after milestone win

SMU drops second ACC game at Clemson, losing 74-70 after its biggest win in years

Clemson Tigers forward RJ Godfrey (0) pushes SMU Mustangs center Samet Yigitoglu (24) during game at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CLEMSON, S.C. — Momentum is a fragile thing in college basketball, and the SMU Mustangs learned that lesson the hard way Wednesday night.

Coming off what the program described as its biggest win in years, SMU couldn’t carry that edge into its second Atlantic Coast Conference game, falling 74-70 at Clemson in a loss that felt both understandable and avoidable.

The Ponies didn’t collapse. They didn’t fold. They simply didn’t finish, and that’s the part that stings.

SMU left Littlejohn Coliseum with a 12-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in ACC play, a résumé line that looks fine in January but offers little comfort when a road opportunity slips away.

Four points separated the Mustangs from a signature road win, yet those four points might as well have been a mile given how narrow the margins already are in conference basketball.

The loss came just days after SMU grabbed national attention with a statement victory that suggested this group might be ready to push past old expectations.

Instead, Wednesday served as a reminder that one big night doesn’t rewrite a season.

Mustangs hang around but can’t flip the result

The final score tells the story clearly enough. This wasn’t a mismatch.

SMU stayed within reach throughout the night, keeping the pressure on Clemson and forcing the Tigers to earn every possession. The Ponies were competitive, composed, and rarely overwhelmed by the moment.

But competitive doesn’t count in the standings.

In a road environment that demanded execution and patience, the Mustangs couldn’t string together enough stops and scores late to swing the game their way.

That’s often the difference between winning and losing away from home in league play, and the ACC rarely hands out freebies.

For SMU, the frustration isn’t about effort. It’s about opportunity.

This was a chance to show that the program’s recent high point wasn’t a one-off, that the Mustangs could follow emotion with execution. Instead, they walked out with a close loss that felt familiar.

ACC grind offers no margin for error

SMU’s transition into the ACC hasn’t come with any easing period, and games like this underline why.

Every road trip brings a test of discipline and resilience, especially against opponents that protect their home floor. Clemson did just that, weathering SMU’s pushes and responding when it mattered most.

The Ponies now sit at 1-1 in conference play, which hardly sounds alarming, but early league results carry more weight than most teams want to admit.

Losses like this don’t disappear. They linger when résumés are stacked side by side later in the season.

SMU doesn’t need to panic. But it does need to learn.

The Mustangs proved they belong in the fight. What they haven’t proven yet is whether they can consistently close it on the road.

Momentum fades quickly in college basketball

If this game showed anything, it’s how quickly momentum can evaporate.

The Mustangs arrived in Clemson riding confidence built from their biggest win in years, the kind of victory that energizes a locker room and shifts expectations outside the program.

But confidence doesn’t travel alone. It needs structure, poise, and precision to survive a hostile arena.

SMU had moments Wednesday night where it looked ready to make that leap, moments where a single stop or basket might’ve flipped the script.

Instead, those moments passed.

That doesn’t erase the progress the Ponies have made. It just highlights the gap between being dangerous and being dependable.

Mustangs still positioned for a strong season

At 12-3 overall, SMU is still in a healthy spot.

The Mustangs have shown they can win meaningful games and compete with quality opponents. A four-point road loss doesn’t undo that.

What it does is set a standard.

If the Ponies want to be more than a tough out in the ACC, games like this have to start going the other way. Close losses can’t pile up, especially away from home.

The season is long, and opportunities will come again. Whether the Ponies seize them may determine how this year is remembered.

For now, the takeaway is simple that SMU didn’t capitalize when it had the chance.

And in conference play, chances don’t wait around.

Key takeaways

• SMU fell 74-70 at Clemson, dropping to 12-3 overall and 1-1 in ACC play.
• The Mustangs couldn’t carry momentum from their biggest win in years into a road environment.
• Close road losses highlight the thin margins facing SMU in conference competition.