New College of Florida Men's Basketball faced NCAA Division I Florida International University on Monday night, falling 101-58 at Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami.
The contest was an exhibition for the Mighty Banyans and did not count toward NCF's record or season statistics. NCF remains 1-1. The game counted as FIU's regular-season opener.
Dezmond McKinney led the Mighty Banyans with 20 points and five assists, shooting 7-for-14 from the field. Ricardo Corvil collected 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
Giovanni Toscanini contributed nine points, Jonathan Olodude added eight, and Will Murphree finished with seven points and eight rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIU scored the first 10 points before McKinney put NCF on the board with a jumper at the 16:15 mark.
The Panthers extended their lead to 18-2 before McKinney scored inside and Toscanini connected on a 3-pointer off a Zachary Chambers assist to bring the Mighty Banyans within 18-7.
FIU pulled away during the remainder of the opening half, taking a 52-18 lead into the break.
NCF improved offensively after halftime, scoring 40 points and shooting 44.4 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes.
Ty Townsend scored on a fast-break jumper before Carson McCormick knocked down a 3-pointer off a McKinney assist. Townsend later added a 3-pointer, and Murphree followed with a putback and a basket from beyond the arc.
McKinney continued to lead the offense, finding Toscanini for a jumper before adding a layup and another jumper of his own.
Olodude contributed inside during the closing stretch, while Corvil and Murphree added consecutive baskets late in the second half.
Tijan Saine Jr. led FIU with 24 points, including six 3-pointers.
THE TURNING POINT
FIU established control early, opening with a 10-0 run and extending its advantage to 18-2.
The Mighty Banyans answered with five consecutive points, but the Panthers maintained their lead and built a 34-point halftime advantage.
BY THE NUMBERS
20
Points scored by McKinney to lead the Mighty Banyans.
10
Rebounds collected by Corvil, including five offensive rebounds.
40
Second-half points scored by NCF.
29
Points contributed by the Mighty Banyans' bench.
10
Steals recorded by NCF.
STAT LEADERS
Points: Dezmond McKinney - 20; Giovanni Toscanini - 9; Jonathan Olodude - 8; Will Murphree - 7
Rebounds: Ricardo Corvil - 10; Will Murphree - 8; Giovanni Toscanini - 4; Jonathan Olodude - 4
Assists: Dezmond McKinney - 5; Zachary Chambers - 2; Giovanni Toscanini - 2; Ty Townsend - 2
Steals: Dezmond McKinney - 2; Ricardo Corvil - 2; Jonathan Olodude - 2
Blocks: Zachary Chambers - 2; Dezmond McKinney - 1
UP NEXT: NCF will travel to Fort Myers to face NCAA Division I Florida Gulf Coast University at 7 p.m. Friday. The contest will be an exhibition for the Mighty Banyans and a regular-season game for FGCU.
