FIU basketball team dominates over North Texas in a 73-58 game

Image by Jorge Coll/PantherNOW

Written by Christian Almanza/Staff Writer

One of the most successful regular seasons in the history of FIU basketball program was capped on a positive note on Saturday, March 9 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

FIU faced North Texas University for the second time in three weeks, the Panthers defeated the Mean Green squad by a comfortable score of 73-58 during the last game on the regular season schedule.  

The Panthers seemed focused on the heels of a blowout loss to Marshall University and displayed a determination to get things back on track during the season finale.

“In that first 18 minutes, that the best that we’ve played by far all season long,” said FIU head coach Jeremy Ballard.

North Texas’ strategy coming into the game was noticeable as they attempted to slow the game’s tempo and force FIU to operate within a half-court offense.

The Mean Green moved the ball diligently and patiently waited for high percentage looks in an effort to prevent costly turnovers or long rebounds that could spark fast break opportunities for the Panthers.

North Texas’ efforts fell short as they were ultimately unable to prevent FIU from getting to its fast style and pace of play.

Three minutes in a Devon Andrews steal led to a vicious fast break slam dunk by Isaiah Bank.

Senior guard Brian Beard, Jr. quickly found a cutting Andrews on the baseline for another slam.

At the first timeout less than five minutes in, the Panthers were up by a score of 8-2 and had scored six of those points off turnovers.

FIU continued to dictate the pace of play as they went ahead by a score of 27-8 with seven minutes remaining in the first-half while holding North Texas scoreless for a six-minute stretch.

Andrews and Beard, Jr. placed their stamps on the game as they scored 21 of the Panthers’ 40 first-half points while dishing six of the team’s eight first-half assists.

At halftime FIU led by a score of 40-24 with 16 of those points coming on fast break opportunities and 14 off turnovers.

The Panthers caused the Mean Green to shoot a dreadful 23.5 percent from the field in the period.

North Texas was unable to recover in the second half and close the gap on FIU as the Panthers kept their foot on the gas pedal and never relinquished the lead.

With six minutes remaining in the game, a three-pointer by North Texas guard Jorden Duffy cut the deficit to ten points as the Mean Green trailed 49-59.

Andrews and Beard, Jr. kept the pressure on the opposition as they combined to score the next six consecutive points and extend the lead back to 16.

They finished with a combined 38 points on an efficient 52 percent shooting and FIU went on to defeat North Texas by a score of 73-58.

Duffy led his team with 11 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Freshman rim-protector Osasumwen Osaghae also contributed 12 rebounds and three blocks for FIU.

One of the evening’s focuses was the senior student athletes who were participating in their final regular season game as Panthers.

Coach Ballard expressed gratitude after the game for the experiences he shared with his senior players.

“It’s very hard going into your senior year to get a brand-new coaching staff. These guys didn’t sign up for a new coaching staff to come. I couldn’t be more thankful for them allowing us to coach them [and] be who we are,” said Ballard. “A team is nothing without its senior leadership. Its special to have these guys here and I’m always going to remember [them]. They have left a mark on FIU’s basketball program.”

The seniors he spoke of were forward Michael Douglas, center Elhadji Dieng, and guard Beard, Jr.

FIU ended the regular season having achieved multiple impressive accomplishments in Ballard’s first year as head coach.

Another game with 20-plus forced turnovers raised FIU’s total number to 612 forced turnovers on the season.

This marks the first time in program history that FIU has amounted 600-plus forced turnovers, shattering the previous record of 580 held by the 1997-98 team.

FIU finished ranked first overall in NCAA in forced turnovers and also led the nation in steals with 328.

Ballard spoke about breaking the turnover record and leading the nation in take-aways after the game.

“It’s something we talked about from day one, be disruptive on the defensive end,” he said. “We want to make people play at the pace and style that we want to play and take them out of their comfort zone.”

FIU is peaking at the right moment having won five of their last six games before they head to the conference tournament in Dallas, Texas.

“I really feel that we are going into Dallas playing our best basketball,” said Ballard. “And it’s going to take our best to do something special.”

Featured image by Jorge Coll/PantherNOW

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