Nov. 15, 2007

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Marist-Miami Box Score

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - The Marist men's basketball team suffered an 85-61 loss to Miami on Thursday in the first round of the ESPNU O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Freshman guard Jay Gavin (Seat Pleasant, Md.) led the Red Foxes with 19 points in 24 minutes off the bench. Marist will play Houston tomorrow at 11 a.m. EST.

"I give all the credit in the world to Miami; they have a terrific team," Marist Head Coach Matt Brady said. "I wasn't happy with how we played, but I think Miami played a real solid game."

The Red Foxes got off to a slow start offensively, as Marist did not hit a field goal until senior Ben Farmer (Clinton, Conn.) hit a three-pointer at the 13:06 mark in the first half. Marist hit just three field goals in the first 13:42 of play. Miami led by as much as 20 in the first half, but the Red Foxes answered with three consecutive baskets by red-shirt sophomore guard David Devezin (Houston, Texas).

Miami led by 17 at halftime, and the Red Foxes would not come any closer than that in the second half. The Hurricanes led by as much as 34 in the second half before the Marist outscored Miami 19-9 over the game's final 6:04.

Gavin scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half. Devezin finished with 11 and a team-best four assists. Senior center Spongy Benjamin (St. Francis Village Erin, Trinidad) grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

Anthony King led a balanced attack for Miami with 13 points. James Dews and Jack McClinton added 11 apiece as the Hurricanes shot .549 from the field, .524 (11-for-21) from three-point range and .818 (18-for-22) from the free-throw line.

After shooting just .296 (8-for-27) in the first half, Marist shot 50 percent (14-for-28) after the intermission.

After facing Houston tomorrow, the Red Foxes will conclude play in the tournament on Sunday. The time and opponent will be determined following Friday's play.