Panthers season ends despite second half comeback

By: Malcolm Shields / Staff Writer

malcolm.shields@fiusm.com

The Panthers were eliminated in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament on March 3 in Hot Springs, Ark. Kahlil McDonald scored 11 of his 19 points in the second half to pace Western Kentucky to a 67-63 victory. The loss ended the Panthers’ season.

DeJuan Wright finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, Cameron Bell followed with 11 points. Jeremy Allen added seven points and three assists for FIU (8-21, 5-11 SBC).

“We got off to a very slow start in the first half,” head coach Isiah Thomas said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well, but I thought we came out in the second half and played a lot better.”

After trailing 39-27 early in the second half, the Panthers countered with a 6-2 run to trim the deficit to eight. After Western Kentucky (12-18, 7-9 SBC) up its lead to 46-36, Wright went on a personal 9-1 run to get the Panthers within two points with less than 11 minutes remaining. Wright’s run led to a 16-1 run for FIU, that was capped off on an Allen three-pointer and a Deric Hill layup to give the Panthers its first lead in the second half at 52-47.

“We picked it up defensively and went on a run,” Wright said. “Guys just started making shots, but it wasn’t enough.”

The Hilltoppers responded with consecutive jumpers by Jamal Crooks and a three-pointer by McDonald to tie the game at 52. McDonald continued his shooting from behind the arch as another three gave the Hilltoppers a 57-54 lead. The run for Western Kentucky expanded to a 14-2 run to push its lead to 61-54 with less than four minutes remaining.

“We tried to go a little bit more man [defense] and put a little bit more pressure on the perimeter and just try to get them to shoot over pressure,” Bell said.

FIU countered with a 7-0 run, which was capped off on a Taylor three-pointer, off of a steal, to tie the game at 61 with 1:39 remaining. After McDonald gave the Hilltoppers a two point lead on free-throws, the Panthers had a chance to tie or take the lead, but the Panthers turned the ball over, missed on a three-pointer and a put-back layup in consecutive possessions.

“We wanted to try to get a quick dribble or take the best shot that we could get,” Thomas said of the two possessions.

The Hilltoppers converted at the free-throw line late to ice the game. Western Kentucky finished the game shooting 43.5 percent (10-of-23) from three-point range.

Bell and Brandon Moore provided quality minutes off the bench for the Panthers. “We were just trying to do what we can to give our seniors the best chance to win the game,” Bell said.

“We needed a bench spark and we tried to make a difference both offensively and defensively.”

Moore finished with six points, four rebounds and four blocks.

The Hilltoppers took advantage of the Panthers inability to secure rebounds, which led to second chance opportunities to score.

“They hurt us on the offensive glass,” Thomas said. “Their second shots were big.”

FIU was out-rebounded on the offensive boards 17 to six.

Along with Allen, Wright concluded his final game in a FIU uniform with his seventh double-double on the season.

“I’m mad that it’s over, but I had a good run here and I played hard every night,” Wright said.