ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Golden Panthers to play in consolation round of NIT Season Tipoff

Photo by Sergio Naser

Photo by Sergio Naser

By: Malcolm Shields / Staff Writer

After finishing their first week of the season with a 1-1 record, the Golden Panthers were selected to participate in the Oral Roberts regional of the consolation round of NIT Season Tipoff on Nov. 21 and 22. FIU will take on Arkansas Pine-Bluff on Nov. 21 and on the 22nd take on regional host Oral Roberts.

Playing another Back to Back

Coach Isiah Thomas acknowledged after the Virginia Tech game the fact that his team may have been fatigued against the Hokies after playing George Mason the night before. The game with George Mason ended close to mid night and the Golden Panthers had an early evening start against the Hokies the following day. The Golden Panthers’ matchup against Arkansas Pine-Bluff is slated to start at 6pm Monday followed by an 8:30pm start against Oral Roberts Tuesday night.

Bench lending a helping hand

Two of the earliest contributors off the bench for the Golden Panthers in their first two games have been junior Cameron Bell freshman Gilles Dierickx. Both players were important down the stretch against George Mason with starters Dominique Ferguson and Tola Akomolafe dealing with foul trouble. Bell has been the first guard off the bench for the Golden Panthers this season.

Bell played critical minutes in the second half and overtime against George Mason. Bell has averaged 19 minutes and 3.5 points per game. Dierickx as also played significant minutes off of the bench as well. His six points were scored in critical minutes against the Patriots.

Scouting reports: Arkansas Pine-Bluff and Oral Roberts

The Golden Lions enter the match up with FIU with a 0-2 record this season. Offensively they are led by guard Savalace Townsend, who is averaging 14 points and five rebounds per game for the Golden Lions. Down in the paint, forwards Mitchell Anderson and Lavoris Weathers lead the Golden Lions frontcourt. Anderson is averaging 5.5 points per game and seven rebounds.

Weathers is averaging five points and four rebounds per game this season. Arkansas Pine-Bluff have not played competitively this season has their average margin of defeat has been 31.5 points per game. The Golden Lions have been shooting a lowly 35.5% from the field.

Oral Roberts is lead offensively by guard Warren Niles and forward Steven Roundtree. Niles leads the Golden Eagles with 17.7 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. Roundtree leads Oral Roberts attack inside with 14.7 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. The Golden Eagles (1-2) have played in close game early this season. The Golden Eagles fell to West Virginia 78-71 and to UTSA 78-77. Their lone win came against Arkansas Pine-Bluff with an 80-44 win.

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