Cancun Challenge | 11/23/2022 5:11:43 PM
SOUTHERN MISS 70, PURDUE-FORT WAYNE 58
Southern Miss stayed undefeated on the year, moving to 6-0, and claimed the Mayan Division championship of the 2022 Men’s Cancun Challenge on Wednesday as Felipe Haase led the way with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Golden Eagles forced 18 turnovers and shot 52 percent from the field, although just 5-for-20 from 3-point range. Denijay Harris scored 10 points.
Jarred Godfrey hit two free throws for Purdue-Fort Wayne with 10:27 left in the game to pull the Mastodons (3-3) within 53-43, and his 3-pointer cut it to seven points (53-46) at the 9:48 mark. PFW got it to 10 again with 5:14 remaining, but the Golden Eagles put the game away with a 10-0 scoring run.
Godfrey closed with 14 points and five steals; Bobby Planutis scored 12 points and Ra Kpedi chipped in with nine points and six rebounds.
The Mayan Division all-tournament team included the following players:
Felipe Haase (Southern Miss) –
MVP
Austin Crowley (Southern Miss)
Damien Chong Qui (Purdue-Fort Wayne)
Jarred Godfrey (Purdue-Fort Wayne)
Emoni Bates (Eastern Michigan)
Kelton Talford (Winthrop)
NOTE -- Felipe Haase was on the Mayan Division all-tourney team in 2021 as well, as a member of the Mercer men's squad.