Florida International University recently issued the following announcement.
Panthers finish with best non-conference record in program annals at 10-3
The FIU men's basketball team used a ferocious second-half rally to erase an 18-point deficit and post a 68-65 come-from-behind win over Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday afternoon at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers, who trailed 29-11 with 7:38 remaining in the opening half, outscored the Wildcats 48-30 over the final 20 minutes while shooting 56.7 percent (17-of-30) from the field during the second-half surge.
The victory improves FIU's overall mark to 10-4. The 10-3 record in non-conference play marked the best single-season record against non-league competition in program history – besting the 9-3 mark set in 2019-20. Bethune-Cookman falls to 3-10 following the loss.
Following a first half that saw the Panthers fall behind 15-2 in the initial six minutes and connect on just 26.7 percent of their field goal attempts, FIU responded from the outset of the second half as it ripped off a 10-0 spurt in the first 2:38.
FIU kept pouring it on in a second half that saw it hit on 7-of-14 three-point attempts, including a clutch make by senior Eric Lovett that put that Panthers ahead for good at 64-63 with 62 seconds left in regulation. Junior Tevin Brewer added the dagger trey with 15 seconds left to put the Panthers up by four.
Bethune-Cookman had one last chance to tie the game on its final possession but a three-point shot by Damani Mcentire clanged off the rim as time expired.
Denver Jones paced the Panthers to the victory with a game-high 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting. He also nabbed three steals. Lovett joined in double-figures with 17 points, including four treys. Brewer tabbed 12 and added a career-best 11 assists for his first double-double of the season.
Marcus Garrett and Colins Joseph each tabbed 16 in the loss for the Wildcats.
UP NEXT
FIU returns to the road for a Conference USA clash with Western Kentucky in Bowling Green on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. ET.
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