NEW YORK (AP) Brian Beard Jr. scored 26 points and tied his career high with 10 assists, Devon Andrews added 17 points with 11 rebounds and Florida International beat Columbia 98-87 on Saturday at the Johnny Bach Classic.
Willy Nunez Jr. scored 15 points, Isaiah Banks had 13, Osasumwen Osaghae 12 and Trejon Jacob 11 for the Golden Panthers (4-1), who shot 49 percent to the Lions' 44 percent.
Antonio Daye Jr.'s free throw capped a 13-5 run for a 54-46 FIU lead early in the second half. Columbia twice closed to within a point, but couldn't overtake FIU. Osaghae's layup with 1:47 left put FIU up 90-85 and the Lions got no closer.
Columbia led 14-5 on Gabe Stefanini's layup, but FIU scored 10 straight and Jacob's free throw put FIU up 43-41 at halftime.
Stefanini scored a career-high 33 points with five 3s and Patrick Tape added 11 points for the Lions (0-3), who face Fordham on Sunday while FIU takes on Youngstown State.
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