Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Tymell Murphy scored a game-high 22 points as the
FIU Panthers cruised to an 80-61 decision over the Arkansas State Red Wolves
in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both sides at U.S. Century Bank Arena.
Malik Smith chipped in 11 points for FIU (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt), which is now at
the .500 mark after an 0-2 start to the season. Jerome Frink and Juan Ferrales
added 10 points each off the bench. Frink also pulled down a team-high seven
rebounds in the wining effort.
Ed Townsel came off the bench to score a team-high 13 points for the Red
Wolves (4-2, 0-1). Trey Finn scored 12 points and Brandon Peterson just missed
a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. The loss snapped ASU's four-
game winning streak.
The contest went back and forth in the opening stages before FIU went on a
13-0 run to build a 29-19 lead with 4:36 remaining in the half. The Red Wolves
regained their composure, but still went into the intermission trailing 33-26.
The Panthers outscored the visitors, 20-10, in the paint before the break to
go into halftime on top.
Gaby Belardo drained a three-pointer just over two minutes into the second
half to put FIU up by 10 points. The Panthers managed to maintain a double-
digit advantage the rest of the way and finished the second half with a 66.7
field goal percentage.
FIU's bench provided 33 points, while the Red Wolves' reserves contributed 19
points.
GAME NOTES:
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