Preview: Central Arkansas Bears at SMU Mustangs ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — The SMU Mustangs, riding a strong start to the season, will look to bounce back from a rare loss when they host the Central Arkansas Bears in a nonconference men’s basketball game Sunday at Moody Coliseum. The Mustangs (9-2) enter with the clear momentum of a successful opening month, their only setbacks coming on the road against Power Five opponents LSU and Vanderbilt. Their most recent outing was a 89-77 loss at LSU on Dec. 13, where Jaden Toombs led the team with 16 points. SMU’s resume includes an overtime win over then-Texas A&M and a road victory at Mississippi State. Central Arkansas (5-7) seeks consistency after a blowout 102-47 win over Kansas Christian on Wednesday snapped a two-game skid. The Bears have struggled against higher-caliber competition, with losses to Vanderbilt, East Tennessee State and Arkansas by an average of 22 points. A key matchup will feature SMU’s Toombs against Central Arkansas’s Malchiah Marable. Toombs, coming off a season-high 27 minutes and 16 points against LSU, provides interior presence for the Mustangs. Marable is fresh from an efficient 16-point, six-rebound performance in 19 minutes against Kansas Christian. The Bears’ guard has been a versatile contributor, averaging 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists over his last six games. SMU’s offense has been potent, averaging 88.5 points per game and scoring 100 or more three times. They will test a Central Arkansas defense that has allowed 80.8 points per game in its seven losses. For the Bears, secondary scoring behind Marable will be critical. Camren Hunter (19 points) and Ty Robinson (12 points, seven rebounds) were instrumental in the midweek rout. This contest serves as a final tune-up before both teams enter conference play. SMU begins a daunting Atlantic Coast Conference slate next week, while Central Arkansas opens ASUN Conference action on Jan. 1. Tipoff is set for Sunday afternoon. SMU holds a 2-0 all-time series advantage, with the last meeting occurring in 2019.