MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU men's basketball team returns home to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center this weekend after a three-game road swing, as the Panthers host Incarnate Word on Wednesday, Dec. 21, for a 7 p.m. nonconference matchup.
 
Wednesday, Dec. 21 vs. Incarnate Word (6-6)

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• TV: CUSA.tv (AJ Ricketts and Matt McCall)
• Radio: FIU3932 Sports (Jonathan Mayer)
• Live Stats
• Game Notes: FIU | UIW
• Series History: First meeting

 
The Panthers (4-6, 0-1 C-USA) return to compete on their home court looking to snap a four-game skid prior to entering the holiday break, as Wednesday's matchup marks the first all-time meeting between the two programs.
 
Turnovers and 3-point shooting have been a kryptonite for FIU thus far, especially through the past four games, as the Panthers have coughed up an average of 16.4 turnovers and are shooting just 28.7 percent from beyond the arc on the season.
 
FIU's 4-2 inside the OBCC this season, excelling with 83.0 points on 50.3 percent shooting and an average of 7.5 3-pointers at a 31.7 percent clip when playing at home. Defensively, the Panthers hold teams to 73.3 points, while forcing 18.3 turnovers on average behind 10.3 steals per home contest.
 
Three Panthers average double figures when playing at the OBCC, highlighted by Denver Jones with 19.8 ppg, followed by Arturo Dean (15.0 ppg) and Javaunte Hawkins (11.5 ppg) through six home games.
 
FIU's scrappiness defensively ranks them 22^nd in the nation in steals per game (9.9), which also leads the Conference USA, as Arturo Dean (2.4/g) and Denver Jones (2.3/g) paces the squad in steals.
 
Additionally, the Panthers force an average of 17.4 turnovers on opponents and are at their best when able to get out in transition off turnovers, averaging 14.8 fast break points per contest.
 
SCOUTING UIW
The Cardinals enter Wednesday's contest 6-6 on the season, recently coming off a 77-65 win over Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 16. Incarnate Word's led by junior guard Jonathan Cisse at 12.2 ppg, followed by Charlie Yoder at 11.3 ppg. First-year guard Nikki Krause paces the team's rebounding (5.0 rpg) and facilitation (5.2 apg). The Cardinals net 68.8 points on average on 43.1 percent shooting, 34.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 72.2 percent from the free-throw line.
 
UP NEXT
FIU returns to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, hosting Florida College on Thursday, Dec. 29. Tip-off s slated for a 7 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.