JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The FIU men's basketball kept it close throughout but came up just short in a 66-59 road loss at Jacksonville State on Wednesday night.
 
The Panthers only managed to hit four field goals over the final 10:35 after it claimed a 49-47 lead as the Gamecocks outscored FIU 19-10 the rest of the way to secure the seven-point victory.
 
The loss moves the overall record on the season for the Panthers to 8-3.  Jacksonville State sits even at 5-5 following the victory.
 
Defense was paramount throughout the contest as each team hit on less than 40 percent of its attempts from the field.  The Panthers made 12-of-57 (36.8) attempts, while the Gamecocks connected on 20-of-54 for a 37.0 clip.
 
The game was decided at the free throw line with Jacksonville State making 22-of-25 attempts from the charity stripe.  FIU was perfect from the free throw line but had less than three times the opportunities as the Gamecocks while finishing 7-of-7.
 
The first half saw Jacksonville State opened the biggest lead of the contest at 20-10 midway thru the opening period before the Panthers rallied back and trailed by just a point at 30-29 entering the break.
 
The Panthers came out hot in the second half and claimed their largest lead of the contest with a six-point edge just under five minutes into the final 20 at 42-36.
 
The game remained a back-and-forth affair that featured nine ties and 10 lead changes until Jacksonville State claimed the lead for good with 9:56 left in regulation.
 
Junior Tevin Brewer led the Panthers in points (13), rebounds (6) and assists (5).  Denver Jones and Clevon Brown each added 10 points.  FIU registered 15 assists on 21 made field goals.
 
Jacksonville State was led Jalen Gibbs, who recorded a game-high 16 points, while shooting 3-of-4 from long range and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
 
UP NEXT
FIU opens a four-game homestand on Sunday, Dec. 19 vs. Bethune Cookman in a 12 p.m. ET tip from Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
Sunday's meeting with Bethune Cookman will be televised live PantherVision on Conference USA TV.
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUHoops), Twitter (@FIUHoops), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensBball) for all the latest Men's Basketball news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.