Men’s basketball to face off with Jacksonville State in Conference USA opener

Carla Mendez | Assistant Sports Director 

The FIU men’s basketball team begins the new year on the road and are taking on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

Coming off a slim 96-92 overtime loss against the Utah Tech Trailblazers on Dec. 30, 2023, the Panthers dropped to a 5-10 season record. After losing their two out of their last three games, they fell to last place in the Conference USA standings.

Vs. Utah State: 

To begin the game, FIU was able to carve out an early 10-point lead due to their high efficiency in shooting the ball. In the first half alone, they knocked down seven 3-pointers, with all of their makes coming from different players.

However, the effect of their 3-point shooting was minimized due to their high volume of attempts. Through the first half, they shot 38.89% from 3-point distance and took a total 18-attempts.

While a team shooting nearly 40% from beyond-the-arc would normally be considered efficient, the Trailblazers were able to best FIU’s shooting performance.

Utah Tech connected on seven of their 15-3-point attempts, resulting in a 46.67% 3-point percentage. Able to match their opponent’s 3-point total in the half, they made it a one possession game by halftime.

At halftime, the Panthers’ once double-digit lead was cut down to three points, with the score at 39-36. With momentum shifting towards their opponent while on the road, they looked to hold on to their small lead.

Playing a much more physical brand of basketball in the second half, neither team could recreate their 3-point shooting success from the first half. While the Trailblazers did shoot a higher percentage, it came on a lower volume of makes and attempts.

Where most of both teams’ scoring came from was in the paint or at the free-throw line. Both teams combined for a total of 35-free throws, with FIU taking 18-attempts and Utah Tech taking 17-attempts.

Despite their frequent opportunities at the free-throw line, the Panthers struggled to convert on their free throws. In the second half, they made 10 of their 18-free throws, resulting in a 55.56% free-throw percentage.

On the other end, the Trailblazers went 11-17 from the free-throw line and also struggled to find consistency. While their 64.71% free-throw percentage is higher than that of their opponent, it only yielded one extra point in comparison.

When all put together, the slight differences in team statistics is what allowed Utah Tech to outscore their FIU by three points in the second half and force overtime. 

Just before extending to overtime, senior guard Javaunte Hawkins forced a turnover with 38-seconds remaining in the game. He then took the ball down to the other end and drained a crucial 3-pointer that tied the game at 80-80.

Responding swiftly, the Trailblazers made a 3-pointer of their own and took a 83-80 lead with only seven seconds remaining. 

Delivering in back-to-back clutch moments, Hawkins got the ball and made another game-tying 3-pointer. With 0.9-seconds remaining on the clock, he tied the game at 83-83 and forced overtime.

Displaying his offensive skill set, Hawkins finished with a career-high 27-points and went 5-12 from 3-point distance. He surpassed his previous 22-point scoring record and led all players in scoring in the game.

After playing through adversity at the end of the game, the Panthers couldn’t establish a lead in the overtime period. They were outscored 13-9 and never held a lead at any point during that stretch. 

Unable to fight through overtime, FIU took a 96-92 loss to Utah Tech and fell to 5-10 on the season. This game marked their final game against non-conference opponents, as the remainder of their schedule is exclusively against CUSA teams.

Vs. Jacksonville State:

Looking to get back on track, the Panthers begin their conference schedule against the Gamecocks.

Entering this matchup, JSU holds an 8-7 season record and are in the midst of a four game win-streak. In their most recent game on Dec. 31, 2023, they took a 107-67 blowout victory over the Trevecca Nazarene Trojans.

Over their four game win-streak, the Gamecocks score an average of 88.75-points per game and are far above their season average. This season, they average 72.6-PPG as a team, scoring at a much lower rate than FIU.

During that same stretch, they’ve only allowed their opponents to score an average of 61.5-PPG, which isn’t far from their season average of 62.4-PPG. However, their margin of victory went up substantially to 27.25-PPG, compared to 10.2-PPG on the season.

If the Panthers wish to snap JSU’s win-streak and leave the game victorious, they must play tight defense. The Gamecocks thrive as a defensive team and are very capable of scoring the ball at an efficient rate.

Utilizing players such as sophomore guard Arturo Dean can help FIU apply defensive pressure and create fastbreak opportunities. This season, he has anchored the team’s defense, as he leads the NCAA with 61-total steals and a 4.1-steals per game average. 

Beginning their conference schedule, the FIU men’s basketball team is facing off with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 in Jacksonville, Alabama.

Tip off is set for 5 p.m. at the Pete Mathews Coliseum and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Follow Carla Mendez on X: @carladfmendez