University of North Florida
2-3
Morgan State
3-3
UNF Nets Crown at Cancun Challenge
11/24/2010 7:10:32 PM | Men's Basketball
Final Game Book
PLAYA del CARMEN, Mexico --The old adage that defense wins championships proved true Wednesday as the University of North Florida men's basketball team used a smothering defense to overcome Morgan State for a 59-52 victory in the championship game of the Cancun Challenge - Mayan Division bracket.
A day after tallying a season-high point total, UNF (3-3) turned to its defense in the championship game holding the Bears (2-3) to just 32 percent (20-62) shooting for the game including a frigid 1-of-11 performance from the three-point line.
The tournament championship marks the second consecutive year that head coach Matthew Driscoll has guided the Ospreys a tournament trophy. Last season, UNF claimed the title at the Southern Miss Christmas Classic.
Sophomore Jerron Granberry was named the Tournament MVP with junior teammate Jimmy Williams also earning All-Tournament honors.
A trio of Osprey players tallied double digits against Morgan State with Andy Diaz, Matt Sauey and Parker Smith each collecting 11 points in the victory. Williams chipped in nine points while Granberry finished with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.
DeWayne Jackson had 12 points in leading MSU and Kevin Thompson finished with a 10 point, 10 rebound double-double.
Morgan State held a slight lead through the opening minutes of the game as both teams displayed strong defenses. Smith gave UNF its first lead of the game, 10-9, after hitting the first of his three treys on the day at the 11:28 mark.
Despite holding the Bears scoreless from the floor for a seven-minute stretch, North Florida was unable to extend its lead due to a shooting slump of its own. Back-to-back three pointers from Williams and Granberry followed by a layup from Diaz sparked the Osprey offense for an 8-0 spurt that gave UNF a 25-15 advantage with 2:27 remaining in the opening half.
MSU used a strong closing flurry to trim the halftime deficit to just five, 27-22.
The Bears continued to click offensively at the start of the second half using a 9-2 run to retake the lead, 31-29 just over five minutes into play. The Ospreys answered quickly with a layup from Williams and another trey by Smith put UNF back in front for good.
Minutes later Smith drilled his third three to start a 10-3 run that allowed UNF to extend its lead to double figures, 48-38, at the 8:55 mark. Morgan State would get as close as three points in the final minute before Brad Haugabrook and Smith were able to secure the victory from the free throw line.
“I am really proud of how the guys really fought throughout the game,” said Driscoll. “Morgan State is a team that never quits and they didn't today, but neither did our guys. A bunch of guys really stepped up for us tonight. Matt Sauey took some big charges and David Jeune pulled down a big-time city rebound in traffic down the stretch. We did what we do and when we do that we are a pretty special group. We have to continue to be humble and hungry, and now turn our attention towards a pair of very important conference games.”
After going 3-3 on its season opening six-game road swing including a 3-1 mark in the Cancun Challenge games, North Florida returns home to face Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 2 in the regular season home and Atlantic Sun Conference opener. The game is slated to tipoff at 7:45 p.m. following the UNF-FGCU women's game.
