LYNCHBURG, Va. – FIU males’s basketball (12-13, 5-9 CUSA) has a nationally-televised date with league-leader Liberty (22-23, 14-0) on Thursday, finishing the season sequence towards the Flames. Tip-off is at 6:00 p.m. in Lynchburg and might be televised on CBS Sports Network.
The Inbound
FIU performed one in all its most full video games of the season in a 77-64 rout of Louisiana Tech, holding the Bulldogs to an opponent-low 24 rebounds. Hamed Olayinka had a profession night time, finishing the double-double with 11 factors and a career-best 17 boards whereas swatting 5 blocks. The Panthers trailed halfway by the second half earlier than happening a run and by no means wanting again.
Liberty has gained 16 in a row and is 14-0 in CUSA play, together with 12-0 total at residence. They took the western tour final week and unseated New Mexico State on the buzzer, htne beating UTEP in El Paso by 9.
Series History
FIU is 2-5 all-time towards Liberty and 0-3 in Lynchburg. The two groups battled right away traditional to start out convention play with the Flames profitable in additional time 97-94 in a career-best 21-point effort from Eric Dibami.
The Panthers’ final win within the sequence was a 76-71 win in Miami on Feb. 22, 2024. FIU has additionally misplaced each conferences in Lynchburg since Liberty joined CUSA.
Notable Storylines
– Dibami earned his second consecutive CUSA Freshman of the Week honor, averaging 13.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg and capturing just below 58 p.c from the sector. It’s his third such honor this season, profitable beforehand in Week 8 and 14.
– Dibami’s six double-doubles in his rookie season transfer him right into a tie with FIU Hall of Famer Dwight Stewart for third-most in a season by a freshman.
– Olayinka’s stat line of 11 factors, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks & 3 assists was the primary such efficiency in FIU historical past. Osasumwen Osaghae had 19, 18 and seven with no assists on 11/26/19, and Eulis Baez had an analogous line of 28, 15, 5 and 5 on 11/26/02.
– His 5 blocks had been additionally probably the most by a Panther in a sport since Seth Pinkney had six on 3/9/24.
– Zawdie Jackson has gone to work during the last 4 video games, averaging 16.0 ppg and three.0 ast/g. He had 20 towards the Bulldogs, going an ideal 2-2 from the sector.
– Corey Stephenson, the squad’s main scorer, scored 16 in a bounce-back effort towards LA Tech after being held beneath 10 factors for the primary time all season. He is 9 factors away from 1,000 in his profession.
– Ashton Williamson had 11 factors within the final sport, now scoring 11 in consecutive contests. He is capturing .571 (8-14) from three during the last three video games.
UP NEXT
FIU comes residence to battle Missouri State, who travels to Miami for the primary time.
TICKETS
For extra info on FIU males’s basketball tickets, name 305-FIU-GAME or go to the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
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