MIAMI (December 18, 2017) - The FIU men's basketball team returns to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Tuesday, Dec. 19, when it welcomes cross-state rival Florida Gulf Coast. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on CUSA.tv with Pete Pelegrin calling the action.
 
The Panthers, who look to snap their two-game losing streak to FGCU, last defeated the Eagles at home, 72-61, on Dec. 7, 2013.
 
FIU looks for its fourth win in its last six games. The Panthers won three-straight against Florida National, South Alabama, and USF, before dropping their last two to North Florida and James Madison.
 
The game against the Eagles is the fifth of nine home games that FIU will play during an 11-game stretch that started on Nov. 27, against South Carolina ... Following Wednesday's contest the Panthers will take on Hartford on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. before heading into the holiday break.
 
Willy Nunez, Jr. led four players in double figures for the Panthers, with 18 points, in its recent 76-67 loss to James Madison on Dec. 16 ... Hassan Hussein added 17 points, and Brian Beard, Jr. and Eric Lockett 10 points apiece.
 
GAME 12: FIU vs. FLORIDA GULF COAST
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 | 7 p.m.
Ocean Bank Convocation Center | Miami, Florida
 
FIU PANTHERS
Record: 5-6 overall
Last Game: L, 76-67 vs. JMU, December 16, 2017
Head Coach: Anthony Evans
Alma Mater: St. Thomas Aquinas, 1994  
Career Record: 155-176/11th season
Record at FIU: 56-82/Fifth season
Top Players: Eric Lockett (16.2 ppg, 6.6 ppg), Trejon Jacob (14.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
 
FLORIDA GULF COAST EAGLES
Record: 7-5 overall
Last Game: L, 83-64 vs. Oral Roberts, December 16, 2017
Head Coach: Joe Dooley
Alma Mater: George Washington, 1988
Career Record: 155-103/Ninth season
Record at school: 98-51/Fifth season
Top Players: Brandon Goodwin (18.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Christian Terrell (14.0 ppg, 6.0rpg)
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Video: CUSA.tv
Radio/Audio: FIUSports.com
Live Stats: FIUSports.com
Series: FGCU leads series 5-4 (two FIU wins vacated due to NCAA sanctions)
Twitter: @FIUHoops
Tickets: For ticket information, contact the FIU athletic ticket office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).
 
SCOUTING FLORIDA GULF COAST
- Florida Gulf Coast comes into Tuesday's game with a 7-5 record and losers of three of its last four games, after winning six of its first eight ... The Eagles are coming off an 83-64 loss to Oral Roberts on Saturday night in Fort Myers ... Brandon Goodwin led the way with 20 points, while Christian Terrell and Michael Gilmore added 14 and 10 points, respectively in loss. 
 
- Brandon Goodwin leads four players in double-figures for the Eagles, netting 18.3 points-per-game, while also grabbing 4.9 rebounds-per-outings ... Christian Terrell and Zach Johnson and are averaging 14.0 points- and 13.5 points-per-game, respectively ... Michael Gilmore rounds out the double-figure scorers, netting 10.0 points-per-outing ... Terrell also leads FGCU in rebounding, grabbing 6.0 boards-per-contest.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST THE EAGLES
- Tuesday's game between FIU and FGCU will be the 10th meeting all-time in the season series ... The Eagles lead the series 5-2, although the actual on court record has FGCU leading the series, 5-4 ... FIU had two wins vacated - from the 2002-03 season and the 2003-04 season - due to NCAA sanctions.
 
UP NEXT FOR FIU
- Following its game with Florida Gulf Coast, FIU will butt heads with Hartford on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. in its final game before the holiday break and its final non-conference game of the season.
 
- Included in the current six-game home stretch will be FIU's first three Conference USA games of the season against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 30 (7 p.m.), Middle Tennessee on Jan. 4 (7 p.m.) and UAB on Jan. 6 (7 p.m.).
 
For ticket information or to purchase your tickets today, please visit FIUSports.com or call 305-FIU-GAME.

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