Game Details
FIU 70, Florida Memorial 47
FIU (1-0), Florida Memorial (1-2)
Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 | 7 p.m.
Miami, Florida | Ocean Bank Convocation Center
 
The Basics
- The FIU men's basketball team opened up its 2017-18 campaign, and its 37^th season of intercollegiate competition, on Friday night with a 70-47 win over Florida Memorial at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The win marks the Panthers' fourth-straight season-opening victory and their fifth in the last six years. FIU is now 1-0, while the Lions drop to 1-2.
 
- Two newcomers made a good impression in their first game in the Blue and Gold, as Trejon Jacob (Raleigh, N.C.) and Josh Stamps (Chicago, Ill.) led the Panthers with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Eric Lockett (Warner Robins, Ga.) chipped in with 10 points and a team-high six rebounds in the win.
 
- After leading by just four points, 35-31, at the intermission, the Panthers used a 12-0 run to start the second half and break the game open. FIU led by as many as 28 points in the second half, 67-39, when Lockett connected on the first of two free throws with 6:04 left in the game.
 
- The new-look Panthers had three newcomers in the starting lineup tonight against the Lions. Stamps, Elhadji Dieng (Mbour, Senegal) and Brian Beard, Jr. (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) all earned their first- career starts for FIU. Beard, Jr. scored five points and dished out a game-high seven assists.
 
Turning Point of the Game
FIU shot just 38.7 percent (12-of-31) from the field in the first half, including 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from behind the three-point arc, however the Panthers got hot in the second half shooting 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field and 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from long range.  
 
Stat of the Game
Trailing by just four points at the half, Florida Memorial came out in the second half and went cold, unable to score its first point of the half until the 13:53 mark on a free throw to make the score 47-32, and didn't tally its first field goal of the second stanza until the 10:22 mark to make the score 52-36.   
 
Up Next
FIU returns to the hardwood on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. when Stetson visits the OBCC. Following this weekend's two games against Florida Memorial and the Hatters, the Panthers hit the road for three games in Milwaukee before returning home to butt heads with 2017 Final Four participant, South Carolina. The Gamecocks are led by FIU alum, and Miami native, Frank Martin ('93).  

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