BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The FIU men's basketball team was not able to overcome a slow start to the second half that led to an 84-56 road setback at UAB on Thursday night.
 
The Panthers, who led by as much as 11 points in the opening 20 minutes, saw a four-point halftime deficit increase to 32 with under two minutes left in regulation. 
 
UAB opened the second half by outscoring the Panthers 18-4 over the initial five minutes to secure momentum as it limited the Panthers to nine field goals and 1-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes.
 
Junior Tevin Brewer led the hot start for FIU by scoring all eight points during an 8-0 spurt that put the Panthers up by 11 points just over 10 minutes into the contest. 
 
Brewer finished the game with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting.  Denver Jones also registered 17 points in the loss and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line.
 
The battle on the glass and turnovers were decisive factors in the game as the Blazers outrebounded the Panthers 45-31 and pulled down 16 offensive boards which they then converted into 16 second-chance points. 
 
UAB also forced FIU into 15 turnovers, including 12 over the final 30 minutes, which the Blazers flipped to 21 points.
 
The loss drops the Panthers overall record to 10-6 and 0-3 in Conference USA contests.  The Blazers move to 14-4 on the season and 4-1 in league action.
 
UP NEXT
FIU concludes its current three-game road swing on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Middle Tennessee State beginning at 6 p.m. ET in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
 
The Panthers-Blue Raiders clash will be aired live on ESPN+.
 
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.