Louisville’s five-game win streak ends at SMU as Cardinals allow 95 points in Dallas loss

A high-scoring rematch turns on efficiency and late execution

Louisville’s five-game winning streak ended Tuesday night, Feb. 17, 2026, with a 95-85 road loss to SMU at Moody Coliseum in Dallas. The result split the season series after Louisville won the first meeting 88-74 at home on Jan. 31.

The matchup featured two of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most productive offenses, and the game played to that profile from the start. SMU carried a 52-49 halftime lead, then used a late burst of shot-making to break a 76-76 tie in the final seven minutes and close with a double-digit win.

SMU’s shooting and ball security proved decisive

SMU’s advantage was built on efficiency and control. The Mustangs shot 38-of-64 from the field (59.4%) and 9-of-19 from three-point range (47.4%), a level of conversion that limited Louisville’s ability to generate the missed shots that typically fuel transition opportunities. Louisville, by comparison, finished 30-of-66 overall (45.5%) while hitting 13 three-pointers on 33 attempts (39.4%).

Turnovers also shaped the outcome. Louisville committed 16 turnovers to SMU’s 10, and several of those came during sequences when the Cardinals were trying to regain momentum. Even with a 37-29 rebounding edge and 13 offensive rebounds, Louisville did not consistently convert extra possessions into enough points to offset SMU’s shooting percentage.

Key performers: Brown Jr. led Louisville; Pierre Jr. and Miller drove SMU

Freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. paced Louisville with 29 points, adding five rebounds and four assists. J’Vonne Hadley contributed 14 points and nine rebounds, while Ryan Conwell scored 12.

For SMU, Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 25 points and Boopie Miller added 23 points while distributing nine assists. Corey Washington provided a key scoring lift and finished with 18 points.

What the result means heading into the weekend

• Louisville dropped to 19-6 overall and 8-5 in ACC play after entering the game ranked No. 21.
• SMU improved to 18-8 overall and 7-6 in conference play, strengthening its résumé with another home win over a ranked ACC opponent.
• Next: Louisville returns home to face Georgia Tech on Saturday, while SMU hosts Boston College on Saturday.

The game featured repeated swings in momentum, but SMU’s late run of made field goals created the separation Louisville could not erase.