Ellie Cardelle | PantherNow
The FIU Panthers faced off against the FAU Owls on Wednesday night on the Panthers’ turf, with fans ready for a deep-seated rivalry match. From the first whistle, energy was high in the crowd, as well as on the court, as both teams battled for dominance.
FIU’s starting lineup hit the court ready to claim early control. The crowd was on their side, yet the Panthers struggled offensively, missing several layups and failing to secure rebounds. FAU sophomore Niccolo Moretti capitalized on their moment of chaos, stealing the ball and racing down the court for a layup, as well as earning a foul shot to gain extra points.
The game’s chaotic energy was exhilarating, with an evenly matched contest where the score was consistently tied. FIU’s Dante Wilcox broke a scoring drought with a crucial bucket that lifted spirits in the arena. A brilliant no-look pass from Wilcox to junior Vianney Salatchoum and a through ball from senior Jonathan Aybar to junior Jayden Brewer added moments of finesse to the repetitive plays.
FAU junior Tre Carroll consistently made his presence felt on the court, serving as a cornerstone for his team. His points tallied more than his teammates’ combined, but a dunk from Brewer set the tone that it was still anyone’s game. The half ended dramatically with Salatchoum blocking a layup off the backboard, sending the teams into halftime with FAU leading 40-39.
The second half began with the same determination and intensity. Junior Dashon Gittens recovered from a block by junior Baba Miller to score a layup and keep the game tied. Both teams refused to quit, with the score changing hands multiple times, leaving both sides constantly fighting for the lead. Aybar earned a layup and a foul shot to push FIU into a slim lead, but the Owls responded with a 6-0 scoring run, forcing the Panthers to call a timeout.
Following the timeout, Miller, a standout player in the second half, delivered a thunderous dunk that extended FAU’s lead to 11 points. FAU continued to play with near-perfect ball control, committing only one turnover with 10 minutes left, but the Panthers persevered. After foul shots and an extra layup by Wilcox, FIU managed to close the gap to just five points.
A critical steal by Brewer led to a through ball to junior Asim Jones, who missed the layup, but Brewer recovered with a statement dunk, reigniting the crowd’s energy. The game remained within reach for the Panthers until the final moments, but ultimately, the Owls’ consistent scoring paid off.
The game ended with FAU securing an 88-77 victory, but FIU’s relentless determination and moments of skill ensured this game will not soon be forgotten, and that the rivalry will continue to thrive.
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