MIAMI (December 29, 2017) - The FIU men's basketball team closes out the 2017 calendar year on Saturday, Dec. 22, as the Panthers begin Conference USA play against league rival Florida Atlantic. Tipoff at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center is slated for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on CUSA.tv with A.J. Ricketts calling the action. Saturday's game against the Owls is the first of three-straight C-USA games that FIU will play at home to begin league competition.
FIU looks to get its winning mojo back after dropping three of its last four games - prior to the holiday break - which comes after winning the previous four-of-five games.
The Panthers hope to end a two-game losing streak against FAU after being swept in the season series during the 2016-17 campaign. The game against the Owls is the seventh of nine home games that FIU will play during an 11-game stretch that started on Nov. 27, against South Carolina. Following Saturday's contest the Panthers will take on Middle Tennessee on Jan. 4, at 7 p.m., and UAB on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.
Trejon Jacob led three players in double figures for the Panthers, with 20 points in its recent 79-72 loss to Hartford on Dec. 22.
Brian Beard, Jr. and
Eric Lockett added 17 and 16 points, respectively.
FIU PANTHERS
Record: 6-7 overall
Last Game: L, 79-72 vs. Hartford, December 22, 2017
Head Coach: Anthony Evans
Alma Mater: St. Thomas Aquinas, 1994
Career Record: 156-177/11th season
Record at FIU: 57-83/Fifth season
Top Players: Trejon Jacob (16.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg),
Eric Lockett (15.8 ppg, 6.5 ppg)
FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS
Record: 6-6 overall
Last Game: L, 95-60 at Minnesota, December 23, 2017
Head Coach: Michael Curry
Alma Mater: Georgia Southern, 1990
Career Record: 33-71/Fourth season
Record at school: Same
Top Players: Ronald Delph (13.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg), Gerdarius Troutman (13.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Video: CUSA.tv
A.J. Ricketts (Play-by-play)
Radio/Audio: FIUSports.com
Live Stats: FIUSports.com
Series: FIU leads, 22-17 (one FIU W vacated)
Twitter: @FIUHoops
Tickets: For ticket information, contact the FIU athletic ticket office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).
SCOUTING FLORIDA ATLANTIC
- Florida Atlantic comes into its Conference USA opener with a 6-6 record and losers of its last three-straight games after starting the year 6-3 ... The Owls are coming off back-to-back losses to Power 5 Conference foes, Texas Tech, 90-54, on Dec. 19, and to Minnesota, 95-60, on Dec. 23.
- Ronald Delph leads three players in double figures in the scoring column, averaging 13.8 points-per-game to go along with his team-best 9.1 rebounds-per-outing ... Gerdarius Troutman and Justin Massey are both within immediate striking distance of the top spot on the team in scoring, netting 13.7 and 13.5 points-per-contest, respectively.
THE SERIES AGAINST THE OWLS
- FIU comes into its matchup with Florida Atlantic on Dec. 30, leading the all-time series against the Owls, 22-17 ... The actual on-court record is 23-17, however, the Panthers had to vacate one win due to NCAA sanctions.
UP NEXT FOR FIU
- Following its game with Florida Atlantic, FIU will welcome Middle Tennessee to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Thursday, Jan. 4 ... The Panthers will close out their season-long six-game homestand on Saturday, Jan. 6 against UAB ... Both games will tip at 7 p.m.
FIU IN CONFERENCE OPENERS
- FIU comes into Saturday's game with FAU posting an 11-15 record all-time in conference lid-lifters, including winners of its last four out of five league openers.
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Anthony Evans is 5-5 all-time as a head coach in conference openers and 3-1 at FIU.
For ticket information or to purchase your tickets today, please visit FIUSports.com or call 305-FIU-GAME.
Fans are encouraged to follow @FIUHoops 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).
