Pictured - Sophomore Jerome Frink, who had a career-high six assists on Tuesday (Photo credit: Alex J Hernandez)

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KENNESAW, Ga. (Nov. 12, 2013) – Five Panthers scored in double-figures as the FIU men's basketball team (2-2) used a 22-0 run in the second half to defeat the Warren Wilson Owls (2-4), 93-56, on Tuesday afternoon at the KSU Convocation Center in Kennesaw, Ga.
 
For the third-straight game, redshirt senior Rakeem Buckles reached the 20-point plateau, scoring a career-high 26 points. The Miami native and reigning Co-Conference USA Player of the Week shot 9-of-11 from the floor and was a perfect 3-of-3 from 3-point range. The 6-foot-7 forward also grabbed eight rebounds. Senior Tymell Murphy and sophomore Jerome Frink added 16 points apiece. Murphy went 7-of-10 from the floor and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Frink shot 6-of-10 from the floor, while leading the team with a career-high six assists. Also scoring in double-figures were Dennis Mavin (13 points) and Marco Porcher Jimenez (11 points).
 
FIU held WWC scoreless for a six-minute span where the Panthers out-scored the Owls 22-0. FIU posted 53 points in the second half, draining 18 buckets to WWC's nine and converting 14-of-18 free throws. Buckles scored 17 of his 26 total points in the second half, while both Murphy and Frink each added 10 points.
 
The Panthers entered halftime with a nine-point lead on the Owls, 40-31. Leading the way for the FIU were Buckles and Porcher Jimenez, who each posted nine points. On the boards, the Panthers were led by Murphy, who registered six rebounds.
 
The Panthers shot 54.8 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes, and shot 4-of-11 from beyond the arc. FIU led by as many as 19 points in the first half. However, WWC battled back, chipping away at the Panthers' lead to cut it to nine at the half.
 
For the game, FIU shot 57.4 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from 3-point range. The Panthers converted 16 of its 21 free-throw attempts and tallied season-highs in steals (10), assists (16) and blocked shots (6).
 
With the win, FIU has now won two-straight and broke the 90-point barrier for the first time since the Panthers scored 92 points at Utah Valley (12/28/10).
 
The Panthers will return to Miami for the team's home opener versus Florida College on Thursday, Nov. 14. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will also be “LIV it Up at the FIU Basketball Beach Bash” with the official presentation and unveiling of the Fontainebleau Suites and Cabanas, and Lime Court at U.S. Century Bank Arena.
 
As part of the festivities, all FIU students in attendance will have the first opportunity to start earning their way to winning official team-issued gear. A post-game student party featuring FREE food, a basketball and beach-themed photo station, and a Wipeout Challenge mechanical surfboard will take place. Along with in-game and halftime contests, there will be a number of giveaways including the first-ever FIU snapback hat. Admission is free for all students with those in attendance entered for a chance to win the Lucky Lifeguard Seat Upgrade, where one student and a friend will be selected for a special seat upgrade.
 
Thursday will also serve as FIU Faculty, Staff and Retiree Appreciation Night, presented by VALIC Financial Advisors. All FIU faculty, staff and retirees can purchase up to four tickets for $1 each. A valid FIU employee ID must be presented at the time of purchase. Tickets can be picked up in advance at the R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse, Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 12-14, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets can also be picked up on Thursday at U.S. Century Bank Arena beginning at 6:00 p.m.
 
Men's basketball season tickets can be purchased by calling the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or conveniently online at FIUSports.com
 
Fans are encouraged to follow @FIUMensBBall on Twitter, and “Like” FIU men's basketball on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/FIUMensBBall) for the latest Panther basketball news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics).


About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. 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 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida¹s 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. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/