SMU Dominates Central Arkansas in Convincing Win
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 2:00 PM ET · Moody Coliseum (Dallas)
SMU Mustangs 99, Central Arkansas Bears 82, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Central Arkansas Bears vs SMU Mustangs?
SMU Mustangs beat Central Arkansas Bears 99-82 at Moody Coliseum (Dallas) on December 21, 2025.
Who was favored in Central Arkansas Bears vs SMU Mustangs?
SMU Mustangs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -9000 (about 99% implied). The favorite won.
In a commanding performance, the SMU Mustangs defeated the Central Arkansas Bears 99-82 at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. This matchup showcased the stark contrast in recent form between the two teams, with SMU boasting a strong home record of 10-2 compared to Central Arkansas's away record of 5-8. The Mustangs have been particularly formidable at home, holding a perfect 7-0 record in Dallas, while the Bears have struggled on the road, failing to secure a victory in five away games this season.
The Mustangs have shown impressive offensive capabilities, averaging 87.9 points per game over their last ten outings, although they allowed an average of 77.3 points during that stretch. Their recent form includes a mixed bag, with an 8-2 record in their last ten games, but they entered this game on a one-game losing streak after falling to the LSU Tigers 77-89. In their last five games, they averaged 83.0 points scored while allowing 82.0 points.
In contrast, Central Arkansas has had a more challenging time, with a 4-6 record in their last ten games. They recently snapped a losing streak with a decisive 102-47 victory over the Kansas Christian Falcons. The Bears have averaged 74.6 points scored and allowed 70.8 points during their last ten games. Their away form has been particularly troubling, as they have lost all five of their away games this season, with their last five games yielding a record of 2-3 and an average of 76.8 points scored against 66.4 points allowed.
The odds for the game reflected SMU's dominance, with DraftKings pricing the Mustangs as 24.5-point favorites, indicating a strong expectation for their performance. The total for the game was set at 156.5, with over odds at -115.0 and under odds at -105.0. The moneyline odds were heavily skewed in favor of SMU at -9000, while Central Arkansas was listed at +2500.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but such factors can often play a significant role in a team's performance. The conditions for the game were not detailed, but playing at home typically provides an advantage for teams like SMU, who have thrived in their home environment.
Throughout the game, viewers were treated to a display of scoring prowess from the Mustangs, with key plays including a 25-foot three-pointer from B.J. Edwards and consistent free-throw shooting from both teams in the closing moments. The final score of 99-82 underscored SMU's offensive strength and ability to maintain control throughout the matchup. With this victory, the Mustangs solidified their position as a formidable force in the league, while Central Arkansas will need to regroup and address their struggles, particularly in away games.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SMU -24.5 | 156.5 o -115 / u -105 | Central Arkansas Bears +2500 · SMU Mustangs -9000 |
Leaders
- PointsBoopie Miller23SMU Mustangs
- AssistsBoopie Miller8SMU Mustangs
- ReboundsSamet Yigitoglu11SMU Mustangs
- PointsTy Robinson28Central Arkansas Bears
- AssistsLuke Moore5Central Arkansas Bears
- ReboundsTy Robinson8Central Arkansas Bears
Recent form
SMU Mustangs
Last 10: 8-2Streak L187.9 scored · 77.3 allowed per game7-0 at home
- L77-89at LSU TigersDec 14
- W93-80vs Texas A&M AggiesDec 7
- L69-88at Vanderbilt CommodoresDec 4
- W87-81at Mississippi State BulldogsNov 29
- W89-72vs Radford HighlandersNov 25
- W100-69vs Arkansas State Red WolvesNov 22
- W106-60vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsNov 19
- W87-85vs Butler BulldogsNov 15
- W102-91vs Murray State RacersNov 12
- W69-58vs Texas A&M-Corpus Christi IslandersNov 7
Central Arkansas Bears
Last 10: 4-6Streak W174.6 scored · 70.8 allowed per game0-5 away
- W102-47vs Kansas Christian FalconsDec 17
- L72-83at Vanderbilt CommodoresDec 13
- L68-75at East Texas A&M LionsDec 7
- W85-47vs Little Rock TrojansDec 4
- L57-80at East Tennessee State BuccaneersNov 29
- W81-60vs Eastern Illinois PanthersNov 26
- W92-65vs Eastern Washington EaglesNov 23
- L56-74at North Texas Mean GreenNov 21
- L77-84vs Samford BulldogsNov 16
- L56-93at Arkansas RazorbacksNov 12
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 25-9 | - | 14-4 |
| California Baptist | 25-9 | 1 | 13-5 |
| Utah Tech | 19-15 | 2 | 11-7 |
| UT Arlington | 18-14 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Southern Utah | 10-22 | 7 | 6-12 |
| Tarleton State | 14-18 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Abilene Christian | 14-19 | 9 | 5-13 |
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Central Arkansas Bears | SMU Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-61 | 40-68 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 59 |
| Three-pointers | 12-26 | 11-33 |
| Three-point % | 46 | 33 |
| Free throws | 12-17 | 8-10 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 25 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 13 | 23 |
| Assists | 19 | 26 |
| Steals | 8 | 9 |
| Blocks | 1 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 26 | 29 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 14 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 56 |
| Fouls | 16 | 15 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 20 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 98 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half49-58Samet Yigitoglu makes layup (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half51-58Camren Hunter makes layup
- 2nd Half51-60Jaron Pierre Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half51-61Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half51-63Boopie Miller makes layup
- 2nd Half51-66Jaron Pierre Jr. makes 22-foot three pointer (Sam Walters assists)
- 2nd Half51-68B.J. Edwards makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (Jaron Pierre Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half53-68Ty Robinson makes 10-foot floating jump shot (Harry Beauchamp assists)
- 2nd Half55-68Javion Guy-King makes layup
- 2nd Half55-71B.J. Edwards makes 24-foot three pointer (Jaron Pierre Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half57-71Malchiah Marable makes layup (Javion Guy-King assists)
- 2nd Half60-71Javion Guy-King makes 24-foot three pointer (Harry Beauchamp assists)
- 2nd Half60-73Jaron Pierre Jr. makes layup (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half60-75Sam Walters makes 1-foot dunk (Samet Yigitoglu assists)
- 2nd Half60-76Jaden Toombs makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-76Luke Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-76Luke Moore makes 26-foot three pointer (Harry Beauchamp assists)
- 2nd Half66-76Parker Applegate makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half66-77Corey Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-78Corey Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-80Boopie Miller makes layup
- 2nd Half66-83Boopie Miller makes 28-foot three pointer (Jermaine O'Neal Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half69-83Luke Moore makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ty Robinson assists)
- 2nd Half69-85Boopie Miller makes layup
- 2nd Half71-85Ty Robinson makes layup (Luke Moore assists)
- 2nd Half71-87Samet Yigitoglu makes 8-foot hook shot (B.J. Edwards assists)
- 2nd Half73-87Ty Robinson makes 12-foot jumper (Luke Moore assists)
- 2nd Half75-87Camren Hunter makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half76-87Camren Hunter makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half76-90Boopie Miller makes 27-foot three pointer (Jaron Pierre Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half76-92Samet Yigitoglu makes 6-foot alley oop dunk
- 2nd Half76-94Samet Yigitoglu makes 4-foot jumper (B.J. Davis-Ray assists)
- 2nd Half76-95B.J. Edwards makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-96B.J. Edwards makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-96Camren Hunter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-96Camren Hunter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-96Luke Moore makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half80-99B.J. Edwards makes 25-foot three pointer (Boopie Miller assists)
- 2nd Half81-99Parker Applegate makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-99Parker Applegate makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours SMU Mustangs, below favours Central Arkansas Bears.
Venue
- Moody Coliseum (Dallas)Dallas, TX
- Attendance4634
- OfficialsTony Chiazza, Tommy Morrissey, Joe Switzer
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