In a contest that went down to the wire, the No. 24 SMU Mustangs managed to fend off a relentless Arizona Wildcats team on Friday, securing a narrow victory in a hard-fought battle.

1. Final Score

No. 24 SMU Mustangs 24, Arizona Wildcats 19

2. Game Summary

The matchup on January 2, 2026, proved to be a defensive struggle, with neither team able to pull away. The No. 24 ranked Mustangs entered as the favorite but were met with a formidable challenge from a determined Arizona squad that kept the game within a single score. Throughout the contest, momentum swung back and forth, but SMU ultimately made the crucial plays needed in the final stretch to halt the Wildcats’ upset bid and seal the five-point victory.

3. Key Performers

While search results confirmed the existence of a box score for the Arizona Wildcats vs. SMU Mustangs game, the provided results did not contain any specific player statistics or performance data for either team.

4. What’s Next

Taking place in early January, this game concludes the 2025-26 season for both programs. The No. 24 SMU Mustangs end their successful campaign on a high note with the win. The Arizona Wildcats finish their season with a hard-fought loss, having pushed a ranked opponent to the absolute limit.