MIAMI (Jan. 28, 2012) -- Senior DeJuan Wright posted a game-high 24 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh-career double-double in a losing effort as FIU (5-15, 2-6 SBC) fell to the WKU Hilltoppers (7-15, 3-6 SBC), 61-51, on Saturday, Jan. 28, at U.S. Century Bank Arena.

Despite a strong defensive outing for the Panthers, FIU struggled offensively, shooting 32.1 percent (17-of-53) from the floor, including 8.3 percent (1-of-12) from beyond the arc en route to the team's sixth-straight home loss.

FIU held the Hilltoppers to 27.6 percent shooting from the floor (16-of-58), including a 0-of-15 clip to start the game. Although WKU shot poorly in the first half (23.5 percent, 8-of-34), the Hilltoppers entered halftime with a six-point lead, 27-21. The Panthers trailed in the first half due to 10 turnovers, which turned into 12 WKU points, as well as being out-rebounded, 25-17, including a 10-1 mark on the offensive boards.

FIU came out of the break looking to chip away at the WKU lead. The Panthers cut the Hilltopper advantage to 27-25 following a dunk by sophomore Dominique Ferguson at the 18:51 mark. However, WKU went on a 9-0 run capped off by a 3-pointer by Derrick Gordon as FIU trailed 36-25 with 16:04 left in the game. The lead would prove to be too much for the Panthers to overcome as they fell to WKU, 61-51.

Wright was the only Panther who scored in double-figures. The 20-point outing was the fourth of the season for the Detroit, Mich., native and 11th of his FIU career. His 14 rebounds were one shy of tying his career best of 15 (vs. George Mason - 11/14/11).

Ferguson finished the contest with 11 boards and poured in seven points. The Indianapolis, Ind., native also recorded two of the team's eight total blocked shots, giving the 6-foot-9 forward 55 for his career - one shy of tying Anthony Harris (1995-99) for No. 8 all-time in the FIU record books.

Sophomore Phil Taylor hit FIU's only trey of the game, draining the team's first shot of the contest from long distance with 17:40 left in the first half.

FIU committed a total of 20 turnovers, resulting in 17 WKU points. The Panthers were also out-rebounded for the game, 46-41.

WKU was led offensively Jamal Cook, who had 12 points and seven assists. O'Karo Akamune and Vinny Zollo each added 11 points for the Hilltoppers. 

The loss marks the second-straight conference defeat for the Panthers, who will now hit the road for two-straight games. The Panthers will travel to Troy, Ala., to take on the Troy Trojans on Thursday, Feb. 2. Game time is 8:30 p.m. ET.

Game Notes

- With tonight's loss, FIU falls to 5-15 overall and 2-6 in Sun Belt Conference play. Head Coach Isiah Thomas is now 1-5 all-time against WKU.

- FIU went 1-of-12 from the three-point line against WKU to mark the 104th-straight game that the Panthers have netted at least one trey. The streak dates back to Dec. 20, 2008, as sophomore Phil Taylor netted the Panthers' lone three-pointer against the Hilltoppers.

- Senior DeJuan Wright netted a game-high 24 points and pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds on the night, marking his third double-double of the season and seventh of his career. His 20-point outing marks his fourth of the campaign and 11th of his career. The 24 points tie an FIU program best against WKU.

- Sophomore Dominique Ferguson and senior Jeremy Allen have now started 40-straight games for FIU.

- WKU went 0-of-15 to start the game and went on to shoot 27.6 percent (16-of-58) from the field for the game. FIU was 17-of-53 from the floor as a team for a field goal percentage of 32.1 percent.

- Sophomore Dominique Ferguson recorded two blocks on the night, giving him 55 career blocks as he is now one block away from moving into a tie for eighth place on the FIU career blocked shots list.

- Senior Jeremy Allen swiped a game-high three steals on the night, putting his season total at 54. That mark ranks tied for eighth on the FIU single-season steals chart.

About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 17 different sports, and is a proud member of the Sun Belt Conference and an affiliate member of Conference USA (men's soccer). Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including U.S. Century Bank Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.

About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU is worlds ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission and enrolls 46,000 students in two campus and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. More than 140,000 alumni live and work in South Florida. FIU is a member of the Sun Belt Conference and has 400 student-athletes participating in17 sports. In 2010 the Panthers won their first bowl game. For more information about FIU, visithttp://www.fiu.edu/.

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