MIAMI (December 21, 2017) - The FIU men's basketball team closes out its 2017-18 non-conference schedule on Friday night as it faces Hartford out of the America East Conference. The game is also the final contest for the Panthers before their short holiday break. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on CUSA.tv with Pete Pelegrin calling the action.
 
The Panthers (6-6) look to build upon its big 91-88 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday night, as they prepare for the beginning of Conference USA play next week against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 30 (7 p.m.).
 
FIU looks for its fifth win in its last seven games. The Panthers won three-straight against Florida National, South Alabama, and USF, before dropping two consecutive to North Florida and James Madison, prior to its victory over FGCU.
 
FIU is coming off an impressive win over its cross-state rival FGCU on Tuesday night. Trejon Jacob scored a career-high, and Ocean Bank Convocation Center record, 38 points. Brian Beard, Jr. added 24 points, and a team-high six rebounds, while Eric Lockett chipped in with 11 points. Beard, Jr. also recorded a career-high tying seven assists and five steals. 
 
Jacob's 38-point effort catapulted him into first on the team in scoring for the year, averaging 16.2 points-per-game. He is joined in double figures on the season by Eric Lockett (15.8 ppg), Beard, Jr. (15.0 ppg), Willy Nunez, Jr. (12.7 ppg), and Josh Stamps (12.0 ppg). Lockett also paces the team in rebounding, grabbing 6.5 rebounds-per-contest.
 
The game against the Hawks is the sixth of nine home games that FIU will play during an 11-game stretch that started on Nov. 27, against South Carolina. Following Friday's contest, and next week's C-USA opener against the Owls, the Panthers will close out the homestand with Middle Tennessee on Jan. 4 (7 p.m.) and then UAB on Jan. 6 (7 p.m.).
 
FIU PANTHERS
Record: 6-6 overall
Last Game: W, 91-88 vs. FGCU, December 19, 2017
Head Coach: Anthony Evans
Alma Mater: St. Thomas Aquinas, 1994  
Career Record: 156-176/11th season
Record at FIU: 57-82/Fifth season
Top Players: Trejon Jacob (16.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Eric Lockett (15.8 ppg, 6.5 ppg)
 
HARTFORD HAWKS
Record: 5-7 overall
Last Game: L, 78-67 Portland, December 19, 2017
Head Coach: John Gallagher
Alma Mater: St. Joseph's, 1998
Career Record: 92-144/Ninth season
Record at school: Same
Top Players: John Carrol (17.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Jason Dunne (16.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Video: CUSA.tv
Pete Pelegrin (Play-by-play)
Radio/Audio: FIUSports.com
Live Stats: FIUSports.com
Series: Hartford leads 1-0
Twitter: @FIUHoops
Tickets: For ticket information, contact the FIU athletic ticket office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).
 
SCOUTING HARTFORD
- Hartford comes into tonight's game with a 5-7 record and losers of five of their last seven games ... The Hawks are in the midst of a very lengthy two-game road trip ... Hartford is coming off a 78-67 loss at Portland on Tuesday night, prior to traveling back across the country to Miami ... John Carroll scored 18 points in the loss while Jason Dunne added 12 points, and Travis Weatherington and George Blagojevic chipped in with 11 points apiece.
 
- Carroll is one of three players on the Hawks roster averaging double figures, netting 17.2 points-per-game, in addition to a team-best 5.9 rebounds-per-contest ... Dunne and Weatherington are second and third in scoring, averaging 16.1 points- and 12.3 points-per-game, respectively. 
 
THE SERIES AGAINST THE HAWKS
- Tonight's game between FIU and Hartford will be just the second meeting all-time in the series, with the Hawks holding a 1-0 lead ... The Panthers and Hartford last met on Dec. 21, 2014 with the Hawks handing FIU an 82-69 loss.
 
UP NEXT FOR FIU
- Following a short break for the holidays, FIU will return to action to start Conference USA play on Dec. 30, when Florida Atlantic visits the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff ... The Panthers close out their season-long six-game homestand with Middle Tennessee on Jan. 4 and UAB on Jan. 6, with both games tipping at 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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