FIU Men’s Basketball Swept by Rival FAU Owls

Kasey Mintz/ Staff Writer

The FIU men’s basketball team was defeated by the Florida Atlantic Owls last Thursday and Saturday by scores of 81-79 and 107-63, respectively.

The two losses dropped the Panthers’ overall record to 8-6, with a 2-4 record in Conference USA. 

In game one of the doubleheader, FIU got off to a sluggish start. They didn’t score their first field goal until almost two minutes into the game. Once FIU was able to establish their offense, they stormed back, taking a 31-29 lead into halftime.

The second half was a back and forth on the scoreboard. The Panthers trailed the Owls with five seconds left in the game and had a chance to win. Guard Antonio Daye Jr. ran up the court and took a hail mary shot he missed, and FIU lost by a score of 81-79.

For FIU, forward Radshad Davis was FIU’s leading scorer with 16 points, along with three rebounds. Daye Jr. led the team with four rebounds and guard Tevin Brewer recorded six assists.

Game two of this doubleheader was not a close game in the slightest. Daye Jr. was the only player for FIU who scored double-digit points with 21. In contrast, five FAU players scored double-digit points.

FIU guard Dante Wilcox led the Panthers in rebounds with six total. Once again, Brewer led in assists, this time with four.

FAU dominated the second game with 47 rebounds, as well as 22 assists, six blocks, and 14 successful three-pointers. The 44 point victory margin is the largest ever recorded between both teams. 

FIU will host the Marshall Thundering Herd on Friday, January 22nd at 7p.m. and Saturday, January 23rd at 2p.m.