Southern Mississippi 88, Coppin State 74
Southern Mississippi scored the first 10 points of the game and never looked back in an 88-74 victory over Coppin State in the first round of the BVI Tropical Shootout in the British Virgin Islands on Friday night.
Forward Daveon Boardingham made all six shots from the field to lead the Golden Eagles (10-2) with 14 points off the bench. Guard Jerrold Brooks and guard/forward Michael Craig each had 13 points.
Southern Miss finished 29-for-38 (76 percent) from two-point range and scored easily and often in cruising to the win.
Forward Michael Murray scored 21 points for Coppin State (4-6) to lead all scorers. Guard Andre Armstrong contributed 14 points, going 2-for-9 from the field but 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
The Golden Eagles started strong, led 50-34 at the half and were never threatened thereafter. The margin might have been worse had Southern Miss not gone 12-for-30 from the free throw line.
Free throws helped keep the Eagles close on the other end of the floor. Coppin State made 27 of its 32 attempts from the foul line.
Southern Miss moves on to play Arkansas-Little Rock in the BVI title game on Sunday. Coppin State meets Jacksonville State for third place.
