Andres Rodriguez | Staff Writer
The FIU Men’s Basketball team is set to face off against rivals the FAU Owls on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024.
After going down 60-59 in a close game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, the Panthers are keen to get a big win against the Owls at home. FIU fell to 2-5 on the season after the loss against the Eagles and are now 0-3 in away games this season.
VS. FGCU
FIU started the game strong with Junior Guard Dashon Gittens scoring a three-pointer in the first possession of the game. This would end up being the only three of the night for Gittens as he ended the game with seven points, going 3-7 from the field and 1-4 for 3PT, pairing this with eight rebounds.
FIU ended up going into the second half with a one point lead over the Eagles and this lead would not last long as FGCU started the second half on a 19-6 run that would see them going up by 12 with 12:57 left to play.
The Panthers would storm all the way back, behind Junior Guard Asim Jones clutch free throws, to make it a two point FIU lead with 1:37 left to play. FGCU would ultimately ice the game with a free throw by Redshirt Junior Forward Michael Duax. FIU would end up losing 60-59.
Despite the loss, Junior Guard Jayden Brewer shined for the Panthers, scoring 18-points on a very efficient 72% shot completion on 11 shots.
Brewer paired his big scoring night with eight rebounds. Besides Brewer’s big night, Senior Forward Johnathan Aybar 12-points on 40% shooting, also going 8-11 from the free throw line.
FIU’s free throw shooting would prove to be their kryptonite in their loss to the Eagles. The Panthers shot a combined 64% from the free throw line against FGCU, shooting lower paired to their season average of 70%, compared to Florida Gulf Coast’s 73.3% completion.
After losing a close game to FGCU, the Panthers look to get back to winning ways in their next game by defeating their bitter rivals the FAU Owls.
VS. FAU
Coming into this matchup, FAU bolsters a 4-5 record. Like FIU, FAU is coming off a close loss to the FGCU Eagles on Nov 30, losing 80-78 due to a game winning shot by Junior Guard Jevin Muniz as time expired.
Despite starters Junior Forward Baba Miller having a game-high 25-points and Graduate Student Guard KyKy Tandy having 15-points, the Owls could not get the win against the Eagles. Like the Panthers, the Owls also had a poor shooting night from the free throw line, which ultimately led to their demise.
The last time these two teams faced was on December 13, 2023, where the Owls dominated the Panthers, beating them 94-60. In this game, FAU controlled both the offensive and defensive glass, getting 43-rebounds compared to FIU’s 27.
If the Panthers want to get their revenge this time around, they need to work on stopping the Owls from shooting the three-pointer; in their matchup last year, they shot 50% from three. Along with this, FIU needs to gain control of the boards from the beginning of the game.
Looking to capitalize with a big win against their rivals, the FIU men’s basketball team hosts the FAU Owls on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.
Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center and the game will be broadcasted nationally on CBS.
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