MIAMI (Nov. 18, 2019) – The FIU men's basketball team opens its run at the Battle for the Capital tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Panthers face the Vikings of Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can watch all the action on ESPN+.

Click here for FIU game notes.

The Panthers fell to NC State 86-77 on Wednesday night. The FIU squad shot 51.0% from the field and 43.5% from behind the arc in the contest but allowed 22 turnovers, which resulted in the Wolfpack scoring 18 points.

Devon Andrews led all players with 21 points. Osasumwen Osaghae recorded a game-high four blocks to bringing his career total to 145.

BY THE NUMBERS
The Panthers rank fifth nationally and first among Conference USA teams with 8.0 blocked shots per game. FIU also comes in with a 53.4 field-goal percentage, putting FIU 12th in the nation and second in the league. The Panthers' 24 total blocks pace the conference and rank 16th nationally.

Individually, Osaghae is currently tied for second nationally with 5.00 blocks per game. The 15 total blocks during his senior campaign are fifth in the nation and first in C-USA. Trejon Jacob sits in eighth nationally and second in the conference with 3.67 steals per contest.

SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
Cleveland State comes into the game with a 1-3 overall record for the season. The 2019-20 campaign marks the first season under head coach Dennis Gates. Gates previously served as an assistant at Florida State for eight seasons.

As a team, CSU is averaging 61.3 points per game, shooting 39% from the field and 26.3% from three. Individually, Tre Gomillion is shooting 56% from the field and 80% from the foul line in his four games started. He also posts a team, best 22 rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Panthers continue the Battle for the Capital tournament with games against Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 22) and UNC Wilmington (Nov. 23) in Washington DC at the New Entertainment & Sports Arena. Tip-off from the contest against EKU is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on FIU men's basketball by following @FIUMensBBall on Facebook and @FIUHoops on Twitter and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.