North Florida hands Southern Miss first loss

Nov 20, 2018, 11:09 pm

CANCUN, Mexico -- Garrett Sams and Noah Horchler posted double-doubles and North Florida defeated Southern Miss 64-48 in the Cancun Challenge Tuesday, handing the Golden Eagles their first loss of the season.

Sams scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his first double-double this season while Horchler had 13 points and 16 rebounds for his third.

JT Escobar made four 3-pointers and added 14 points for the Ospreys (2-2).

Tim Rowe scored 12 points and Cortez Edwards 11 for the Golden Eagles (3-1) with Tyree Griffin collecting eight assists and six steals.

Sams hit a pair of baskets to cap an 8-0 game-opening run and the Ospreys remained in front, taking a 44-23 halftime lead.

The Ospreys made only 6 of 33 3-pointers and had 18 turnovers but outrebounded the Eagles 51-35. Southern Miss made just 2 of 19 from the arc with 16 turnovers.

North Florida plays Jacksonville State on Wednesday for the Mayan Division championship while Southern Miss and Western Carolina will play for third place.