By Steven Melendez/Staff Writer
FIU vs. Florida National
The FIU men’s basketball team (3-4) won their third game of the season as they defeated the Florida National Conquistadors, 79-61, Wednesday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. This was their most dominant win of the season, as the team shoot a season-high 52.5% (31-for-59) from the field and had five players reach double digit scoring.
The Panthers were led by junior guards Eric Lockett and Willy Nunez Jr. Lockett finished with a team-high 20 points on 60% shooting (6-for-10), seven rebounds, three assists, and one block.
After missing the early parts of the season recovering from an injury, Nunez Jr. enjoyed his best game as a Panther, as he had 19 points on 53.8% shooting (7-for-13), two rebounds and three assists.
Head coach Anthony Evans talked a bit about what he saw from his new scoring option and what he expects from him moving forward.
“Willy is a good player, we recruited him to do what he does,” said coach Evans. “I think he needs to work on the defensive end. He hasn’t been in the games like the other guys have so it’s not the same type of chemistry yet, but as we move forward his role will expand.”
The performance isn’t anything new for Nunez Jr., as he averaged 20.8 points per game in his sophomore season for Indian River State College, so it’s known that he is a capable scorer.
Nunez Jr. talked about his performance and the role practice has played in him getting ready for the season.
“It feels pretty good. Getting back in rhythm is a key, and my teammates are finding me on the offensive end and also trying to execute on the defensive end as well,” said Nunez Jr. “Practice is a big key. Putting up as many shots as I can. My teammates also finding me in practice as well trying to get a flow of the game.”
A few other players stepped up for the Panthers in this one, including junior guard Brian Beard Jr. Beard Jr. finished with 15 points on 60% shooting (6-for-10), four assists and two steals; while sophomore guard Trejon Jacob had 11 points on 50% shooting (4-for-8) and four rebounds.
Freshman Isaiah Banks had one of his best games as a Panther, finishing with 10 points on 71.4% shooting (5-for-7), including a few highlight dunks that wowed the crowd.
Banks talked about his performance and how he was able to be so successful tonight.
“I was just playing hard and my teammates were finding me,” said Banks. “As time was going on I just felt more confident in myself and in my teammates. Also, the vibe was crazy with everybody screaming.”
This was the most dominant game FIU has played all season, holding Florida National to under 40% shooting in both halves. The Conquistadors finished shooting just 33.3% (21-for-63) from the field.
The Panthers also outscored Florida National in fast breaks 17-to-two.
FIU vs. South Alabama
The men’s basketball team concluded their three-game home stand this past Sunday, as they defeated the South Alabama Jaguars 87-58.
Guard Trejon Jacob scored a career-high 26 points, on 62.5% shooting, and was just one of five different Panthers to reach double digits.
The first half was a dominant showing for the Panthers, as they shot 59.3% (19-for-32) from the field and 61.5% (8-for-13) from the three-point line. This was due in part to Jacob being practically unstoppable making his first seven field goals, and having 19 points with 6:30 left in the half.
Jacob talked about his performance and how it gels with the team.
“It’s never just on me. It goes out to my teammates, it’s not just an individual effort,” said Jacob. “They found me and I had the hot hand, so they just kept on finding me, so this performance definitely goes out to my teammates.”
The ability to spread the floor and take care of the basketball was clearly shown tonight, with the team finishing with 18 assists and a season-low one turnover. This was the best performance for FIU in terms of controlling the basketball, so it was no surprise how much they won by.
Head coach Anthony Evans spoke about how important this part of the game is for his team’s success.
“When we don’t turn the ball over we can get more quality shots,” said Coach Evans. “Guys like Trejon and Willy, can shoot the three and it gives us more possessions, so taking care of the ball is paramount for us.”
Junior guard Eric Lockett struggled offensively in the first half, but didn’t allow that to hurt his overall game. Lockett finished with 16 points on 53.8% shooting (7-for-13), five rebounds, team-high seven assists, and one steal.
Coach Evans talked about Lockett performance and what he means to the team.
“I think he’s the heart and soul of the team. He’s been here for a year and a half, he understands; he’s been around college basketball,” said Coach Evans. “He knew he didn’t have it going in the first half, so he just did the little things. He rebounded, passed the ball and got guys shots where they normally get it, so great job for him all around.”
Junior forward Hassan Hussein had a season-high 12 points on 57.1% shooting to go with five rebounds, as well as one block and two steals.
Hussein talked about what he brings to the table and how it feels finally contributing when he’s healthy.
“I had a very wise man come and sit down to talk with me. He told me that basketball is a simple game. You can’t control what you can’t control,” said Hussein. “You can’t control the ball going in, but you can control your effort, so that’s always what I’m trying to do.”
Briand Beard Jr. and Willy Nunez Jr. were the other double-digit scorers for the Panthers. Beard Jr. finished with 14 points, four rebound, five assists and a team-high five steals; while Nunez Jr. had 14 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block off the bench.
Next up for the Panthers, they will travel to Tampa, Florida to face the (4-5) University of South Florida Bulls on Dec. 11. Tipoff is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.
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