Delaney Haymes | Contributing Writer
The FIU men’s basketball team (1-2) went nuclear against the Florida National Conquistadors (0-5) on Thursday night, winning 110-55 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in its first home game of the season.
Although a blowout win is never predictable, the Panthers had reason to be confident going into this game as they had an impressive 6-1 record over their last seven home openers. Known for their high-energy play, the Panthers have turned the Convocation Center into one of the toughest places to play in Conference USA.
The Panthers came out firing against Florida National, starting the game with a 17-0 run. Their largest lead in the first half saw them up 32-4, and the team ultimately went into halftime with a commanding 50-25 lead.
FIU never lost its momentum in the second half. In fact, the Panthers led for nearly the entire game, with a total time in the lead of 39 minutes and 37 seconds, never trailing for even a second. It was a dominant display that showcased FIU’s firepower and left fans eagerly anticipating the rest of the season.
Several Panthers put up standout performances that fueled the team’s win. Junior center Vianney Salatchoum led the charge with a highly efficient night, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting. Senior forward Okechukwu Okeke was equally instrumental, finishing with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 8-for-11 from the field.
Freshman guard Ashton Williamson also had a stellar game, scoring 14 points, collecting seven rebounds and adding two assists, going 6-of-9 on field goals. Junior guard Jayden Brewer rounded out the top performers with 16 points, three rebounds and a team-high six assists.
In their first two games of the season, the Panthers had a field goal percentage of 37.9%, making 50 out of 132 attempts. Their opponents, however, shot 50%, making 49 out of 98 attempts. In tonight’s game, the Panthers significantly improved, shooting 55.6% from the field while holding the Conquistadors to just 32.3%. This marked a major advancement for the team on both offense and defense.
The men’s basketball team also showcased their depth and aggressive play in this game, racking up impressive specialty stats across the board. With 53 points from the bench, FIU’s entire roster contributed to the blowout, highlighting the strength of the team’s rotation in a statement win for the Panthers.
FIU now faces Howard on Monday, Nov. 18 at home.
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