MIAMI (February 23, 2018) – The FIU men's basketball team closes out its 2017-18 home schedule on Saturday, Feb. 24, when Rice visits the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, closing out its two-game home stand. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and can be seen on CUSA.tv with A.J. Ricketts calling all the action.   
 
Click here for complete FIU game notes
 
FIU comes into its game with Rice after snapping a three-game losing streak on Thursday against North Texas. In addition, Rice comes to Miami after ending a six-game losing streak on Thursday at Florida Atlantic ... Prior to the Owls win at FAU, their last victory was against the Panthers, 73-64, on Jan. 25. Saturday's game is also the second of two home games that the Panthers will play in their final seven regular season games.
 
Trejon Jacob and Michael Douglas led the way for the Panthers in their 69-68 win over North Texas on Thursday. Eric Lockett chipped in with 13 points while Osasumwen Osaghae tied his career-high with 10 points. Jacob and Brian Beard, Jr., led the team on the glass with eight rebounds each, with Beard, Jr. equaling his career-high. Beard, Jr. also dished out eight assists.
 
Beard, Jr. leads the Panthers in scoring this season, averaging 16.0 points-per-game. He leads three players in double figures in the scoring column for FIU, along with Trejon Jacob (14.8 ppg) and Eric Lockett (13.9 ppg) who are second and third, respectively. Josh Stamps is just under double-digits, averaging 9.9 point-per-game.
 
Beard, Jr. is also still among the nation's leaders in steals-per-game, averaging 3.0 per-outing, which is good enough for fourth in the nation (through Feb. 22).
 
FIU PANTHERS
Record: 12-16 overall, 6-9 C-USA
Last Game: W, 69-68 vs. North Texas, February 22, 2018
Head Coach: Anthony Evans
Alma Mater: St. Thomas Aquinas, 1994  
Career Record: 162-186/11th season
Record at FIU: 63-99/Fifth season
Top Players: Brian Beard, Jr. (16.0 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.0 spg) , Trejon Jacob (14.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
 
RICE OWLS
Record: 6-22 overall, 3-12 C-USA
Last Game: W, 79-76 (ot) at Florida Atlantic, February 22, 2018
Head Coach: Scott Pera
Alma Mater: Penn State, 1989
Career Record: 6-22/First season
Record at school: Same
Top Players: Connor Cashaw (16.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Ako Adams (10.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
TV/Video: CUSA.tv
A.J. Ricketts (Play-by-play)
Video/Radio/Audio: FIUSports.com
Live Stats: FIUSports.com
Series: Rice leads series, 3-2
Twitter: @FIUHoops
Tickets: For ticket information, contact the FIU athletic ticket office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).
 
SCOUTING RICE
- Rice comes into Saturday's game with a 6-22 record and a 3-12 mark in Conference USA ... The Owls are coming off a 79-76 overtime win at Florida Atlantic on Thursday night ... Prior to its win at FAU, Rice had dropped  six-straight games since their last win, that coming against FIU, 73-64, on Jan. 25, in Houston.  

- Connor Cashaw is one of two players scoring in double figures, averaging 16.1 points-per-game, while also leading the team on the glass, grabbing 6.8 rebounds-per-contest ... Ako Adams joins Cashaw in double figures in the scoring column, netting 10.4 points-per-outing.
 
THE SERIES AGAINST THE OWLS
- Saturday's game marks just the sixth meeting between FIU and Rice all-time, with the Owls leading 3-2 ... FIU is 1-1 at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
UP NEXT FOR FIU
FIU concludes the regular season with two games on the road, beginning at Charlotte on Feb. 1 (7:30 p.m.), and closing out the regular season at Old Dominion on Feb. 3 (7 p.m.).
 
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