MIAMI SHORES - In a battle of unbeaten teams, the fourth-ranked Moccasins began the defense of their Sunshine State Conference title by grinding out an 83-77 road win at Barry Saturday.
The win pushed the Moccasins' record to 6-0, while Barry fell to 5-1. It also marked the first time the Mocs have won their SSC opener since the 2005-06 season.
After leading 33-31 at halftime, the Moccasins found themselves trailing by eight, 55-47, with 13:40 left in the game. John Thompson's layup with 10:55 left pulled the Moccasins even at 62-62. From the that point, the Moccasins went on a 13-5 run to build a 75-67 advantage with 6:05 to go and Barry couldn't get closer than four points the rest of the way. Rion Rayfield's three-pointer at the 8:41 mark had given the Mocs the lead for good.
Rayfield was one of four Moccasins scoring in double figures. Held to just two points in the first half, Rayfield finished with 18, including eight free throws without a miss. Thompson was limited to just seven minutes in the first half due to foul trouble and picked up his third foul just 19 seconds into the second half. He stayed in the game, however, did not commit another foul and finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season and the 16th of his FSC career.
Terry Jenkins also had 19 points, as well as six rebounds, a career-high seven assists and a career-high three steals. His six rebounds matched his career high. Brandon Jenkins tossed in 14 points, while Preston Fredrick played 29 minutes off the bench, producing six points and matching his career rebounding high with nine.
The Moccasins' four players in double figures were enough to offset a 30-point effort from Barry's Erick Nsangou.
In the second half the Moccasins were 18 of 20 from the free throw line and for the game hit 20 of 26, while Barry was 18 of 28. The Moccasins out-rebounded Barry 49-35.
Thursday night the Moccasins play Ave Maria at 7:30 p.m. at Jenkins Field House, then play at Palm Beach Atlantic Saturday at 5 p.m.
