Panthers end year with huge loss to Georgetown

The FIU men’s basketball team failed to finish 2013 on a happy note, losing to the Georgetown Hoyas 92-57 on Saturday.

The Hoyas scored early and often, as they started off the matchup on a 24-0 run, and kept the Panthers at bay. The Panthers, down 31-4, were able to put a stop to the run with 6:57 left in the first half.

Redshirt junior Dennis Mavin led the team with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, all coming in the second half.

Senior Tymell Murphy and redshirt senior Rakeem Buckles contributed with 15 points, respectively. Buckles finished with a team-high six rebounds.

The Hoyas showed their defensive prowess in the first half, holding the Panthers to just 25 percent (5-of-20) shooting from the field and just 14 points.

Eight different Georgetown players attributed to a season-high 50 points in the first, 30 of which came from in the paint.

The second half showcased a new and improved Panther squad, outscoring the Hoyas 23-12, including a 17-6 run, during the first 12 minutes of the second half.

In just the second half, the Panthers shot 55.6 percent (15-of-27) from the floor while holding a 43-42 point advantage.

The Panthers ended their afternoon shooting 41.3 percent (19-of-46) from the field, as well as 38.5 percent (5-of-13) from deep.

The Panthers were out-rebounded (33-22) and out-scored in the paint (58-26).

FIU will return to Miami before hitting the road once again to face Florida A&M on Thursday Jan. 2.