MIAMI (Dec. 31, 2019) – The FIU men's basketball team begins the new year with the start of Conference USA play. The Panthers face off against the Miners of UTEP on Thursday, Jan. 2, at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Tipoff is slated for noon ET.
Fans who cannot make the contest can view the conference clash on ESPN+. Click here for FIU game notes.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Panthers come into C-USA play ranked first nationally in total blocks (99) and blocked shots per contest (7.6). As a team, FIU sits in fifth for total steals (136) and steals per game (10.5) while also coming in seventh for three-point defense (25.9).
Osasumwen Osaghae leads the country in blocked shots (60) and swats per outing (4.62). The senior is just two blocks from tying the FIU record held by Adrian Diaz (192). Osaghae also ranks second nationally with a 72.5 field-goal percentage.
The FIU squad is 5-0 at home this season. The Panthers have won 10-straight games at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, dating back to the 2018-19 season, with the last home loss taking place against Southern Miss.
LAST TIME OUT
The Panthers fell at Minnesota 89-62 to close out non-conference play. FIU held the Golden Gophers to 38.8% shooting for the game, but the opposition was 29-30 from the charity stripe.
Devon Andrews led the Panther squad with 14 points in the loss. Osaghae tallied a double-double, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds. The big man also logged five swats in the contest, bringing his career total to 190 blocks.
MEETING THE MINERS
UTEP enters the contest at 9-4 for the season. The Miners began the year on a five-game winning streak but fell on the road to NM State for their first loss. UTEP is 8-0 at home but 0-3 in road matchups, and the squad went 1-2 at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic before coming to the Sunshine State.
As a team, the Miners post 69.1 points per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Bryson Williams leads UTEP with 19.3 points per contest, and the forward paces the squad with 6.3 rebounds per outing and 0.8 blocked shots per game.
UP NEXT
FIU remains at home for a game against UTSA on Saturday, Jan. 4. The C-USA clash is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
ALUMNI GAME
The FIU men's basketball program welcomes back its alumni to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Saturday, Jan. 18, for the Panthers' game against Middle Tennessee. Tipoff from the Conference USA clash is set for 7 p.m. ET. The 2019-2020 campaign marks the 25th anniversary of the banner season, which resulted in the program's first NCAA appearance.
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.
