Kenny Boynton scored 20 points and Will Yeguete had 11 points and 13 rebounds Sunday to help No. 10 Florida pull away to a 66-45 victory over Middle Tennessee in Tampa.
Boynton scored the final 13 of the game for the Gators (3-0), who opened the second half with a 14-2 run and never looked back.
Middle Tennessee (2-1) trimmed a 15-point deficit to nine before Mike Rosario finished a fast break with a dunk and Boynton hit a 3-pointer to begin his game-ending spurt.
Marcos Knight led Middle Tennessee with 12 points and Shawn Jones added 10 for the Blue Raiders, who trailed 29-26 at halftime.
Florida turned up the defensive pressure in the second half, limiting the Blue Raiders to 27 percent shooting after the break. Middle Tennessee missed seven of eight shots while the Gators were taking control over an eight-minute stretch.
No. 9 Duke 88, Florida Gulf Coast 67: Mason Plumlee finished with a career-high 28 points as the Blue Devils (3-0) beat the Eagles (2-2) for their school-record 96th straight nonconference win at home. Bernard Thompson had career highs of 24 points and six 3-pointers for Florida Gulf Coast, which led for most of the first half. The Eagles were coming off two straight wins, including a 63-51 victory over the Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday.
Elon 62, Florida Atlantic 59 (OT): Ryley Beaumont hit a 3-pointer with 1:28 left in overtime, and the Phoenix (3-1) held on over the Owls (1-3) in Elon, N.C. Jack Isenbarger scored nine of his team-leading 16 points in the OT for Elon. Freshman Stefan Moody scored 22 points in a reserve role for FAU, which led 31-22 at halftime.
Central Florida 53, Savannah State 50: Tristin Spurlock and Kasey Wilson combined to make four free throws in the final 12.9 seconds to help the host Knights (3-0) squeeze out a win over the Tigers (3-2). Keith Clanton led UCF with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Western Michigan 58, South Florida 53: Brandon Pokley scored 15 points as the Broncos (4-1) defeated the host Bulls (2-2). Shaun Noriega led South Florida with 16 points. Anthony Collins had 12 assists for the Bulls. The victory was Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins' 300th.
Arizona State, 97, Florida A&M 70: Jahii Carson scored 20 points, Jonathan Gilling had 13 points and 15 rebounds, and the host Sun Devils (2-0) fended off the Rattlers (0-3). Jamie Adams led FAMU with 24 points.
LATE SATURDAY
Florida State 73, Saint Joseph's 66: Reserve forward Terrance Shannon scored 15 points — 11 in the final 13:45 — and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Seminoles (3-1) past the Hawks (2-1) in the championship game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in New York. Tournament MVP Michael Snaer had 14 points for FSU.
About the Author
