MIAMI – Jerome Frink and Tymell Murphy scored 20 points apiece to lead Florida International past Western Kentucky 87-82 Saturday night in Sun Belt Conference play.
Malik Smith went 3 of 4 from behind the arc and finished with 17 points for Florida international (14-12, 9-8).
On top 42-38 at halftime, Florida International started the second half on a 9-3 run, capped by Deric Hill's 3-pointer with 17:03 remaining to go ahead 51-41.
Western Kentucky (13-14, 7-9) trailed by as many as 15 points after intermission.
T.J. Price's 3-pointer with 23 seconds left cut the Hilltoppers' deficit to four, 84-80, but the Panthers made 3 of 4 free throws to seal the victory.
Florida International shot 52.2 percent (12 of 23) in the second half while Western Kentucky shot 43.3 percent (13 of 30).
Price led the Hilltoppers with game-highs of 22 points and six assists, but also had five turnovers.
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