Southern Methodist 72, Sam Houston State 53: Yanick Moreira notched his first career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Mustangs handled the Bearkats in the Corpus Christi Challenge.

The 6-11, 220-pound center shot 5-of-9 and had four offensive rebounds, and Markus Kennedy had 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks for the Mustangs (5-1). Nick Russell contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists to the victory.

Paul Baxter was the lone player in double digits with 19 points for the Bearkats (4-2). Jabari Peters and Terrance Motley had eight points apiece, while Peters had seven assists.

Southern Methodist built a 13-5 lead in the opening eight-plus minutes before a 15-3 run made it 28-8 just four-plus minutes later. Moreira scored four points early in the second half to help increase a 38-20 halftime advantage to 45-23 and the Mustangs never looked back.

The Mustangs play Virginia on Friday at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi. The winner advances to play either Texas A&M or Missouri State in Saturday's championship game, while the loser goes to the consolation game.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ryan Manuel made the only 3-pointer of the game for the Mustangs, who finished 1-of-8 from behind the arc. ... The Bearkats shot just 34 percent from the field and were dominated on the glass 46-20. ... The Mustangs made 25-of-30 from the foul line.