MIAMI (Jan 2, 2020) – The FIU men's basketball team welcomed UTEP to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for a Conference USA clash on Thursday afternoon. Osasumwen Osaghae broke the program record for career blocked shots as the Panthers topped the Miners 69-67 in the first game of the new year.

With the win, FIU moves to 10-4 and 1-0 in league play. UTEP goes to 9-5 on the season and 0-1 against C-USA opponents with the loss.

The Panthers started the contest shooting 46.7%, and FIU took a 36-26 advantage into the locker room at the half. The team was 7-13 from behind the arc with Trejon Jacob and Cameron Corcoran recording a pair of three-pointers each. Defensively, Osaghae tallied a squad-best three rebounds and two blocks during the opening stanza.

Coming out of the break the Panthers struggled defensively, allowing the Miners to shoot 51.7% in the second half. FIU was outscored 41-33 following halftime, but a made foul shot by Antonio Daye, Jr. gave the Panthers a three-point lead with just 16 seconds remaining in the game. After FIU fouled the opposition with four seconds on the clock, a clutch rebound by Isaiah Banks off a missed free throw allowed FIU to hold onto the 69-67 victory.

Devon Andrews led FIU with 16 points in the victory. Osaghae logged 12 rebounds and was a point shy from recording a double-double. The senior's four blocked shots in the contest also gave him 194 for his career, a new program record for FIU.

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
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