UConn G Rodney Purvis (44) flexes his muscles after making layup and being fouled in the second half against the SMU Mustangs at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

UConn G Rodney Purvis (44) flexes his muscles after making a layup and being fouled in the second half against the SMU Mustangs at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

The UConn men’s basketball team has not beaten the SMU Mustangs since the two teams joined the American Athletic Conference. For whatever reason, the UConn Huskies don’t match up well with them.

The last time these two teams faced each other, the Huskies were embarrassed in Dallas, TX. This time, head coach Kevin Ollie came up with a different game plan.

It was executed to perfection by his charges.

Rodney Purvis, who played perhaps his finest game in an UConn uniform, paced the Huskies to an 81-73 win over No. 21 SMU in front of 15,564 at the XL Center in snowy Hartford, CT.

UConn improves to 17-11 (10-6 American) while SMU falls to 23-6 (14-3 American).

Purvis led the way with 28 points and the 46% foul shooter hit all seven of his attempts. Ryan Boatright added 23 points and five assists while Daniel Hamilton had 14 of his 16 points in the second half. Hamilton also led the team with seven rebounds.

Markus Kennedy was the high scorer for the Mustangs with 18 points and had a game-high nine rebounds. Yanick Moreira had 14 points while Sterling Brown had 13 points.

The UConn men’s basketball team is back in action on Thursday night when they’ll host the Memphis Tigers on Senior Night at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 9 p.m.

SMU Mustangs @ UConn Huskies 3/1/15 box score

Here are the postgame quotes.

Here are UConn’s postgame notes.

photo credit:  ©2015 Ian Bethune