Baylor
Florida Intl
Bears Edge Out Florida International, 65-61
12/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec 21, 2001
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer
CAROLINA, Puerto Rico (AP) - Freshman Lawrence Roberts scored 15 points and Wendell Greenleaf added 14 as Baylor beat Florida International 65-61 Friday night to set up an all-Texas final at the Carolina Shootout.
After Florida International (5-5) erased a 33-27 halftime deficit with eight straight points to start the second half, Greenleaf made a 3-pointer that put Baylor (9-1) ahead to stay.
The Bears will play in the championship game Saturday against Texas-Pan American, which overcame an early 15-point deficit to beat Oral Roberts 67-58 in the other semifinal.
Four players scored in Florida International's run to start the second half. A slam dunk by freshman Taurance Johnson gave the Golden Panthers their last lead at 35-33.
Greenleaf followed his 3-pointer with two free throws after a turnover.
Johnson led Florida International with 20 points, while Rodrigo Viegas had 12.
Greenleaf's layup after a steal by Roberts gave Baylor a 57-43 lead with 7:36 left. The Bears then went nearly four minutes without scoring, but Florida International managed only a field goal and three free throws during that stretch.
Baylor's biggest first-half lead was 32-23 after Greenleaf scored two straight baskets. He drove for a bank shot and after an FIU miss, he was alone under the basket for a layup after the pass from Chad Elsey.
The lead changed several times early until Kenny Taylor's 3-pointer with six minutes left broke an 18-18 tie and a three-minute scoring drought for both teams. Baylor led until the Golden Panthers' spurt to start the second half.
