North Florida Defeats Morgan State 59-52 In Cancun

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) ― Andy Diaz, Matt Sauey and Parker Smith scored 11 points apiece as North Florida defeated Morgan State 59-52 on Wednesday.

The Ospreys (3-3) used a smothering defense — holding the Bears to 32.3 percent shooting (20 of 62) — to win the championship game of the Cancun Challenge - Mayan Division bracket.

Morgan State (2-3) shot only 1 of 11 from 3-point range.

North Florida was 22 of 56 (39.3 percent) from the floor, but made 7 of 16 3-pointers.

Morgan State used a 16-4 run spanning the end of the first half and beginning of the second to lead 31-29. Jimmy Williams' layup and a Smith 3-pointer pushed the Ospreys ahead for good.

DeWayne Jackson scored 12 points and Kevin Thompson had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Bears, who outrebounded North Florida 44-31.

Jerron Granberry, who had eight points and seven rebounds for North Florida, was named Tournament MVP.

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