Game Details
FIU 76, Southern Miss 70
FIU (10-13, 4-6 C-USA), Southern Miss (11-12, 4-6 C-USA)
Miami, Florida | Ocean Bank Convocation Center
 
The Basics
- The FIU men's basketball team used a 12-2 run to start the second half, and needed every bit of the double-digit cushion, as the Panthers held on for a 76-70 win over Southern Miss at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Thursday night. FIU improves to 10-13 overall and 4-6 in C-USA play, while the Golden Eagles drop to 11-12 on the year and 4-6 in league action. 
 
- The Panthers familiar surroundings were just what the doctor ordered as they snapped a two-game losing streak and picked up a much needed Conference USA win, but that win didn't come easy. After leading by just three at the break, 31-28, FIU came out of the locker room at the break and used the run to take its biggest lead of the game, 43-30, less than three minutes into the second stanza when Trejon Jacob (Raleigh, North Carolina) hit the first of his two three-point shots on the night. The Golden Eagles, however, struck back quickly as they proceeded to use their own 13-2 stretch to cut the Panthers' lead to two points, 45-43, with 12:43 left in the game. That was as close as Southern Miss got the rest of the way as FIU bent but didn't break in the final 10 minutes of play. The Panthers pushed the lead back to double figures, 10 points with just over nine minutes left. The Golden Eagles stayed within striking distance – five to nine points – but FIU, who have had its struggles from the free-throw line on the year, went 13-for-18 (72.2 percent)  in the final 2:42 to secure the victory.  
 
- On the night, FIU hit 47.2 percent from the field (25-for-53), including a 54.5 percent clip (12-for-22) in the second half of the contest. The Panthers were 21-for-35 from the charity stripe (60.0 percent) in the win.   
        
- Brian Beard, Jr. (Rancho Cucamonga, California) led four players in double figures for FIU with a game-high 23 points to go along with seven assists and seven rebounds. It was his third-straight 20-point performance. Joining Beard, Jr. in double-digits was Michael Douglas (Sachse, Texas) with 15 points, Trejon Jacob (Raleigh, North Carolina) with 11 points, and Osasumwen Osaghae (Miami, Florida/Robert Morgan {Southridge}) tying his career-high with 10 points.   
 
Turning Point of the Game
FIU's 12-2 start out of the locker room following the break was crucial in the Panthers creating a cushion that led to its win over the Golden Eagles. The Blue and Gold hit its first five field goals  of the second stanza.
   
Stat of the Game
Despite the Panthers missing 14 free throws in the win over Southern Miss, they found a way to lock in down the stretch, hitting 72.2 percent of their offerings (13-for-18) down the stretch to ice the victory.
 
Notable
- Tonight's starters for FIU were: G Trejon Jacob, G Brian Beard, Jr., G Eric Lockett (Warner Robins, Georgia), F Hassan Hussein, and F Jay Harvey (Chicago, Illinois) … The Panthers are 3-1 with this starting five.

- With tonight's win over Southern Miss, FIU improves its all-time record against the Golden Eagles to 2-3, and snaps a two-game skid against USM. Tonight was the Panthers' first win over Southern Miss in Miami.

- Beard, Jr.'s 23 points marks his 21^st double-figure scoring performance of the season, and his 21^st-straight. In addition, it is his sixth 20-point performance and his third-straight.

- G Trejon Jacob netted double-figures for the 18^th time this season with his 11 points.

- F Mike Douglas's 15 marks his sixth double-figure scoring outing of the season – and the eighth of his career. In addition, it is his fifth game netting 10-or-more points in the last nine games.

- F Osasumwen Osaghae recorded his second double-figure scoring performance of his career at FIU with his career-high tying 10 points. 

Up Next
Following its game against Southern Miss, FIU will close out its two-game home stand on Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. when Louisiana Tech visits the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
  
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