MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU men's basketball team is set to host its FIU MTE (multi-team event) this week in Miami, as the Panthers welcome in visiting Stony Brook and Eastern Washington to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for a slate of round-robin action.
 
Wednesday, Nov. 23 vs. Stony Brook

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• TV: CUSA.tv (AJ Ricketts and Alejandro Gonzalez)
• Radio: FIU3932 Sports
• Tickets
• Live Stats
• Game Notes: FIU | Stony Brook
• Series History: First Meeting

 
Sunday, Nov. 27 vs. Eastern Washington

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• TV: CUSA.tv (AJ Ricketts and Matt McCall)
• Tickets
• Live Stats
• Series History: First Meeting

 
Both of this week's matchups mark the first all-time meetings between the Panthers and Stony Brook and Eastern Washington, as the Seawolves and Eagles will also face each other for a neutral site matchup on Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m.
 
The Panthers enter the week looking to defend their home court after a 91-85 setback versus Bryant on Saturday (Nov. 19), in which FIU led for 32:07 of the game, though, crumbling late in the second half to see the Bulldogs notch the comeback victory.
 
Coming into Wednesday's contest against Stony Brook, the Panthers have shown its offensive prowess through four games, averaging 82.8 points (2^nd C-USA) behind a league-best 50.6 percent from the field, while also benefitting from a deep bench that contributes 36.7 points per game – good for 15^th among the NCAA.
 
FIU had five Panthers finish in double figures its last time out, as sophomore guard Denver Jones continues to lead the mix at 19.0 ppg (4^th C-USA) on 60 percent shooting from the field (2^nd C-USA), 41.2 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. Jones connected on a career-best 9-of-17 for 22 points against Bryant, in addition to corralling season-highs with six rebounds and four steals.
 
Freshman guard Dashon Gittens shined versus Bryant on Saturday en route to notching Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors behind a career-high 16-point performance on 5-of-10 shooting, including two 3-pointers and hitting 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. The Hartford, Conn., native also recorded career-bests of four rebounds and two steals, as Gittens has impressed averaging 7.5 points through four starts while shooting 47.8 percent and 50 percent from three.
 
Freshman guard Arturo Dean's impact is felt on both sides of the floor, second on the squad in scoring (13.3 ppg) while leading the Conference USA in steals (11) with 2.8/g, while junior guard Javaunte Hawkins (10.0 ppg) has made his presence felt from beyond the arc for the Panthers having buried a team-high nine threes at a 39.1 percent clip.
 
Additionally, junior Seth Pinkney poured in a season-high 10 points on a perfect 4-for-4 from the field against Bryant, while grabbing five rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes. Pinkney's 1.8 blocks per game rank second amongst the C-USA.
 
The Panthers hit a season-high 11 3-pointers at a 39.3 percent clip (11-for-39) on Saturday, as at least four different Panthers have hit threes in each of the past three contests.
 
FIU has reaped the benefits of its aggressive defensive intensity, averaging 10.2 steals while forcing 17.5 turnovers per game – good for third among the Conference USA. However, the Panthers have struggled defending the arc this season, allowing all four opponents this season to hang double-digit 3-point tallies while allowing teams to shoot 43.3 percent from deep.
 
SCOUTING STONY BROOK
The Sea Wolves enter Wednesday's contest 1-3 overall on the season, most recently falling to Brown on Thursday (Nov. 17), 64-53. Stony Brook was picked to finish ninth in the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
Tyler Stephenson-Moore leads Stony Brook at 14.3 ppg, as he scored a career-high 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor, and 4-of-7 from 3-point range, while adding seven rebounds in the loss at Brown. Frankie Policelli (10.5 ppg) and Kenan Sarvan (10.0 ppg) follow as Stony Brook's lone other double-figure scorers. Graduate guard Aaron Clarke was tabbed as a Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention after averaging 11.8 points through four seasons as an All-NEC performer at Sacred Heart.
 
UP NEXT
FIU returns to action inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, concluding the FIU MTE with a Sunday evening matchup against Eastern Washington on Nov. 27. Tip-off is slated for a 6 p.m. start to be broadcast on CUSA.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.