CORAL GABLES, fla.- Despite being tied at half and battling early in the second, FIU men’s basketball (5-4) couldn’t overcome the offensive onslaught of RV Miami (10-2), dropping the Battle for the 305 98-81 on wednesday night at the Kaseya Center.
The Panthers kept pace with the Hurricanes for much of the first half, trading baskets and utilizing a strong inside presence. FIU shot 52.9 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes and were led by 14 points from freshman forward Kaleb Thompson. Miami answered with a balanced attack, shooting 48.4 percent and getting contributions from multiple players. The half ended with the score tied at 45-45.
Miami came out firing in the second half, going on a fast 12-2 run to take control. The Hurricanes continued to find success offensively, shooting 60.7 percent in the second half and consistently getting to the free-throw line. FIU struggled to contain Miami’s attack, and the Hurricanes gradually extended their led.
Thompson finished with a career-high 22 points and eight rebounds,leading the Panthers in both categories. Junior guard Chandler Davis added 16 points, while senior guard Donte McGill chipped in with 12.
Miami was led by Nijel Pack, who scored 22 points, and Norchard Omhirion, who added 18.
FIU will return to the court on Saturday, December 20, to face LIU at 5:00 PM.
Next Game:
Dec. 20 (Sat) / 5:00 PM
LIU
FIU Panthers Fall to Miami Hurricanes 98-81 Despite Strong Performances
The FIU Panthers battled the Miami Hurricanes but ultimately fell short in a 98-81 defeat. While FIU demonstrated flashes of strong play, particularly in the first half, they couldn’t maintain the momentum against a determined Miami squad.
FIU didn’t fully settle into the game until the 11-minute mark, sparked by consecutive steals and scores from Ashton Williamson and Julian Mackey, resulting in a 6-0 run and a Miami timeout. Back-to-back three-pointers from Corey Stephenson narrowed the gap to two points,and a three-pointer by Brit Harris at 6:42 tied the game. Stephenson followed with a jumper, giving FIU a 34-32 lead.
Mackey extended the lead with a three-pointer, and another 6-0 run, capped by a three from Williamson, put the Panthers ahead 40-35 with 2:49 remaining in the half. Mackey had an chance to increase the lead further but made only one of three free throws. Miami responded with a late lay-in, tying the score at 43-43 heading into halftime.
The Panthers struggled to replicate their first-half success in the second half, despite a dunk from Hamed Olayinka and a corner three from Zawdie Jackson which tied the game at 48-48. Miami then took control,building an eight-point lead over the next several possessions.
Despite a late effort from Stephenson and freshman Thiago Sucatzky, FIU couldn’t close the gap, ultimately losing 98-81.
Stephenson led the Panthers with a stellar performance, scoring 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including three three-pointers, and adding six assists. This performance marks the first time a Panther has recorded at least 23 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals in a game as Brian Beard Jr. achieved 28 points, 10 assists, and 4 steals against Old Dominion on January 12, 2019. https://fiusports.com/news/2024/12/16/mens-basketball-panthers-fall-to-hurricanes-98-81
Mackey contributed 17 points, extending his double-digit scoring streak to eight games. Sucatzky added a career-high 10 points with two assists and two steals. The argentinian guard is averaging 2.9 assists per game through his first nine career games.
ibrahim olajuwon recorded a career-high four blocks,becoming the second Panther this season to achieve this feat,joining Olayinka,who also had four blocks in the season opener.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will return to the Ocean bank Convocation Center on saturday night to face LIU.
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