Florida Atlantic won the ESPN Events Invitational in American Athletic Conference men's basketball action on Sunday, November 26.
No. 19 Florida Atlantic 84, Virginia Tech 50 - Box Score
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Alijah Martin scored 17 points, Vladislav Goldin had 14, and No. 19 Florida Atlantic beat Virginia Tech 84-50 to win the ESPN Events Invitational championship on Sunday.
Johnell Davis had 12 points for FAU (5-1). Martin (eight) and Davis (seven) combined for 15 rebounds.
“These guys are consumed with playing basketball the right way,” FAU coach Dusty May said. “They're a joy to coach and a joy to watch.”
Virginia Tech (5-2) got 11 points from both Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla. Lynn Kidd had nine point and seven rebounds.
“They outplayed us, needless to say,” Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said.
FAU broke the game open late in the first half and early during the second with a 19-0 run to go up 44-24 with 16 1/2 minutes remaining.
Martin's 3 made it 69-39 with 7 1/2 minutes left. It was FAU's ninth trey in 19 tries, while Virginia Tech had missed all 13 of its 3-point shots up to that point.
FAU finished 9 for 22, while Virginia Tech ended up making 2 of 17.
“They're really gritty on the defensive end,” Cattoor said. “They just do a good job making things tough.”
FAU took a 32-24 lead at the half when Martin had a dunk and Goldin made a layup during a 7-0 run. The Owls had the first 12 points in the second, including 3's by Davis and Martin.
Kidd ended Virginia Tech's 8 1/2 minute scoring on a dunk with 16 minutes to play.
North Texas 79, Angelo State 50 - Box Score
DENTON, Texas (AP) Aaron Scott scored 14 points as North Texas beat Angelo State 79-50 on Sunday night.
Scott was 4 of 8 shooting and 5 of 5 from the free throw line for the Mean Green (4-2). Jason Edwards scored 12 points, going 3 of 10 from the floor, including 3 for 9 from 3-point range, and 3 for 5 from the line. John Buggs III was 3 of 5 shooting (2 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points.
Willie Guy led the Rams in scoring, finishing with 14 points and two steals. Kendrick Delahoussaye added 11 points for Angelo State. Trey Farrer also had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks.
SMU 70, Louisiana-Monroe 57 - Box Score
DALLAS (AP) Zhuric Phelps had 21 points in SMU's 70-57 win against UL Monroe on Sunday.
Phelps shot 6 for 14 (1 for 6 from 3-point range) and 8 of 10 from the free throw line for the Mustangs (5-2). Chuck Harris added 15 points while shooting 5 for 11 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free throw line, and he also had five rebounds. Samuell Williamson shot 4 for 9 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 6 from the free throw line to finish with 14 points.
Tyreese Watson finished with 14 points for the Warhawks (2-3). Savion Gallion added eight points, six rebounds and two steals for UL Monroe. In addition, Jalen Bolden had eight points.