Victor Mariscal scored 30 points, 22 in the first half, leading coach Nolan Richardson and Mexico to a 100-89 victory over Puerto Rico on Wednesday in the FIBA Americas tournament.
With a strong defensive effort that held Puerto Rico star Carlos Arroyo without a field goal, Mexico pulled away after the Puerto Ricans rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to grab a one-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
Richardson said he wasn't surprised that his team pulled off the upset.