MIAMI – FIU returns to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for the first of three-straight pre-holiday home games, beginning Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. against North Florida. The game will be carried live by CUSA TV with A.J. Ricketts calling the action. The Panthers will also face USF on Dec. 18 (7 p.m.) and Florida Memorial on Dec. 20 (7 p.m.) during the three-game homestand.  

FIU comes into the game looking for its fifth win in its last six games, while also looking to improve to 5-0 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The Panthers also look to extend their nine-game home winning streak to 10 games, dating back to their 67-64 win against Rice on Feb. 24, 2018. 

GAME 10: FIU VS. NORTH FLORIDA
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018 | 7 p.m. | Ocean Bank Convocation Center | Miami, Florida | CUSA TV

Click here for complete FIU game notes
Click here to watch live on CUSA TV
Click here for live stats

FIU PANTHERS | 7-2
Last Game: Dec. 1 at Arkansas, L, 121-89
Next Game: Dec. 18 vs. USF, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Jeremy Ballard
Alma Mater: Colgate, 2003
Career Record: 7-2 (First season)
at FIU: Same

NORTH FLORIDA OSPREYS | 4-6
Last Game: Dec. 11 at Minnesota, L, 80-71
Next Game: Dec. 15 vs. Charleston Southern, 5 p.m.
Head Coach: Matthew Driscoll
Alma Mater: Slippery Rock, 1992
Career Record: 177-233 (13th season)
at North Florida: 151-156 (Ninth season)

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Video: CUSA TV
A.J. Ricketts (Play-by-play)
Radio: None
Live Stats: FIUSports.com
Series: Series tied, 2-2* (see The Series note)
Twitter Updates: @FIUHoops
Tickets: FIU Athletics Ticket Office 305-FIU-GAME

QUICK HITS
- FIU's 7-2 start marks its best nine-game start in the program's history, surpassing the previous best of 6-3 during 2013-14, 1995-96 and 1984-85.

- FIU comes into Thursday's game off a tough 121-89 loss at Arkansas on Dec. 1 ... Brian Beard, Jr. led five players in double figures with 21 points, while Trejon Jacob added 20 points in the loss.

- Through games of Dec. 11, Brian Beard, Jr. leads NCAA Division I in steals-per-game (3.4), is second in total assists (31), ninth in assists-per-game (7.0) and 26th in scoring (21.9).

- Coming into the UNF game, Panthers are averaging 96.0 points-per-game on the year which is good enough for second in the nation, behind only The Citadel, who is netting 103.0 points-per-outing.

LAST TIME OUT
- FIU couldn't overcome a hot shooting first half by Arkansas as the Razorbacks handed the Panthers a 121-89 loss on Dec. 1, in Fayetteville.

- Brian Beard, Jr. led FIU with 21 points, while Trejon Jacob chipped in with 20 ... Antonio Daye, Jr. had 15 points, and Willy Nunez, Jr. and Isaiah Banks added 13 and 11 points, respectively ... Beard, Jr, and Jacobs shared team-high rebounding honors with eight apiece, while Beard, Jr. also had six assists and five steals.

- FIU gave up 100-or-more points for the first time since Jan. 30, 2010 when Florida Atlantic defeated the Panthers 106-88.

SCOUTING NORTH FLORIDA
- North Florida comes into its game with FIU with a 4-5 record following an 80-71 loss at Minnesota on Dec. 11 ... The loss is the third in the last five games for the Ospreys and snaps a short two-game winning streak.

- Noah Horchler leads North Florida in scoring, averaging 15.3 points-per-game, while Garrett Sams is second on the team in scoring, netting 14.2 points-per-contest ... Horchler is also tops on the team in rebounding, grabbing 10.4 boards-per-outing, which is good enough for 14th in the nation.

THE SERIES AGAINST THE OSPREYS
- Thursday's game between FIU and North Florida will be the seventh meeting in the all-time series between the two schools ... The series is tied, 2-2, although the actual on-court record has the Panthers holding a 4-2 series lead ... FIU had two wins vacated - from the 2003-04 season and the 2005-06 season - due to NCAA sanctions ... The Ospreys handed the Panthers an 87-85 loss in Jacksonville last season.

DROPPIN' SOME' C-NOTES
- FIU's 117 points against Johnson & Wales marked the second-straight game that the Panthers reached the century mark … The Panthers scored 110 points in the season-opening 110-84 win over Webber International on Nov. 7 … Prior to this season, the last time that an FIU team reached the 100-point mark in regulation was on Feb. 26, 1998, pouring in 101 points against Centenary in a 101-74 win in the TAAC Tournament ... That was the second of two-straight games where the Panthers scored 100-or-more points ... FIU also did it five days before in a 117-79 win over Troy on Feb. 21, 1998.

- FIU logged its third 100-plus-point game when it scored 102 points in a 102-93 win over Youngstown State on Nov. 18, and accomplished the feat against Ave Maria on Nov. 23, in a 104-84 win.

- The Panthers' four 100-point games are the third most in a season in school history ... The most 100-point outings in a season for FIU came during the 1997-98 campaign with seven, followed by five during the 1982-83 season.

UP NEXT FOR FIU
Following Thursday's game with North Florida, the Panthers will welcome USF to Miami on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ... FIU will close out its three-game pre-holiday homestand on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. against Florida Memorial.

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