MIAMI – The FIU Wellness and Recreation Center outdoor basketball courts are usually crowded with students playing pick-up games, but on Thursday night it was packed with the members of the student-body, fans, and the Panthers' men's and women's basketball teams as they all celebrated the upcoming 2018-19 season during the inaugural FIU Hoopla.

Both the men's and women's basketball programs were introduced, and fans heard from men's Head Coach Jeremy Ballard and women's Head Coach Tiara Malcom. The Panthers' faithful were also entertained by the FIU Cheerleaders, the Dazzlers and the FIU Band. beIN Sports was also on hand with giveaways and free pizza for all in attendance.

The highlight of the evening were the combined men's and women's team three-point shooting contest and the men's team dunking contest. The three-point contest was won by Trejon Jacob (Raleigh, North Carolina) and Ieva Spigule (Riga, Latvia), while 6-foot-6 Devon Andrews (Lorain, Ohio) took the dunking crown by jumping over 6-foot-11 Elhadji Dieng (Mbour, Senegal).

The fans also had the opportunity to get into the action with a three-point shooting and dunking contest of their own. The three-point title was taken by Desmond Hazzard and the dunking contest by Addison Alufohal.    

The 2018-19 women's basketball season begins on Tuesday, Nov. 6, against crosstown foe Miami at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The men's team will tip off at home the next night, Wednesday, Nov. 7, against Webber International. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets or for ticket information, click here. Click here for complete men's basketball schedule, and here for women's basketball schedule.

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