Jackson leads No. 20 Memphis past No. 18 SMU 67-58 with strong second half

SMU guard Nic Moore (11) goes to the basket against Memphis defenders Nick King (5), Austin Nichols, center, and Joe Jackson (1) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 8, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey) (The Associated Press)

SMU guards Keith Frazier (4) and Ryan Manuel (1) block a shot by Memphis guard Joe Jackson, left, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 8, 2014, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey) (The Associated Press)

Joe Jackson scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half to lead No. 20 Memphis to a 67-58 victory over No. 18 SMU on Saturday.

Jackson hit his first four shots after intermission as the Tigers (23-8, 12-6 American Athletic Conference) shot 59 percent in the second half while building the lead to as many as 14.

Austin Nichols finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for Memphis.

Nic Moore led the Mustangs (23-8, 12-6) with 16 points. Nick Russell and Markus Kennedy scored 13 each for SMU, which lost its second straight, the first time this season the Mustangs have lost consecutive games.

Memphis found its range in the second 30 minutes, particularly from 3-point land. After missing all six 3s in the first half, Memphis connected on 6 of 13 in the second half.