MIAMI – Tymell Murphy had 20 points and 10 rebounds to help Florida International hold off Bethune-Cookman 74-72 after letting most of a double-digit lead slip away Monday.
Bethune-Cookman trimmed what once had been a 12-point deficit to two on Ricky Johnson's layup with 17 seconds remaining. The Wildcats (5-10) had a chance to win it after forcing an FIU turnover, however Kevin Dukes' 3-pointer bounced off the rim.
Malik Smith scored 17 and Jerome Frink had 11 points and 11 rebounds for FIU (7-7), which led 58-46 with just over 10 minutes to go.
Bethune-Cookman closed to within one point on three occasions, the last at 69-68 on a pair of free throws by Javoris Bryant. Each time, FIU answered with a basket of its own.
Adrien Coleman led Bethune-Cookman with 20 points.
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