MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU men's basketball team collected a pivotal bounce-back victory on its home court on Wednesday evening, holding on for a 79-74 win over Incarnate Word (6-7) inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The Panthers led by as much as 26 points prior to the Cardinals rallying in the second half, as
Denver Jones led four Panthers in double figures with team-highs of 20 points and four rebounds.
FIU moves to 5-6 overall, while Incarnate Word drops to 6-7 on the season.
The Panthers broke their shooting slump upon returning to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center after a three-game road swing and four-game slide, finishing the contest 51.9 percent from the floor (28-of-54), while burying 11 threes at a 39.3 percent clip for the night (11-for-28).
The Panthers led for 39:19 of the contest, though, seeing the Cardinals bring the game within two possessions in the second half, as FIU tallied 36 points off 20 UIW turnovers for the contest.
Jones was 5-for-10 from the field en route to his fifth 20-point performance of the season, including a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe, while also recording three assists and two steals. Freshman
Dashon Gittens followed with 15 points behind a career-best 3-of-5 shooting from distance (60.0%) to pair with three assists and two rebounds and steals each.
Sophomore guard
Petar Krivokapic recorded a season-high 14 points on a season-high four 3-pointers (4-of-7) in 30 minutes, while freshman
Arturo Dean rounded out the Panthers in double digits with 12 points, four assists and two steals in his second career start. Additionally,
John Williams Jr. added eight points, two assists and three steals in 15 minutes as a reserve.
Incarnate Word outscored the Panthers 46-29 in the second half, though, a fiery start allowed FIU to lead 50-28 at the break behind 65.5 percent shooting, including 7-of-13 from 3-point range (53.8%), in the first half.
The Cardinals finished the contest 49.1 percent from the floor (26-of-53) and 40.0 percent beyond the arc on 8-of-20 shooting for the night, led by Jonathan Cisse with 17 points.
After a deep two from
Nick Guadarrama (51-32) to open the second half, Incarnate Word responded with a 13-0 run to bring the margin within single digits, 52-44, prior to back-to-back threes from
Dashon Gittens reclaiming a double-figure cushion at 58-44. Williams Jr. hit a free throw to follow, as
Arturo Dean finished at the rim before a Cardinals 3-pointer to hold a 13-point edge, 61-48, at the under-12 media timeout (11:26).
A Guadarrama 3-pointer and jumper from
Denver Jones ensued to push a 68-52 spread, as the Cardinals capitalized on FIU turnovers and misses to erupt for a 12-0 run and bring the game within two possessions at a FIU timeout with 5:15 remaining, 68-64.
Out of the break,
Mohamed Sanogo denied a Cardinals dunk at the rim to go on and see Jones dime Sanogo for a two-hand slam of his own to reclaim the momentum at 70-64. On the ensuing possession, Jones would convert an and-one layup at the line to push a 75-66 cushion (3:53).
The Cardinals crept back into a four-point game, 75-71, prior to
Petar Krivokapic burying a crucial corner three that kept things in FIU's favor with 1:21 left, 78-71. However, UIW answered with a three of their own for a 78-74 margin with 0:58 to play.
From there, the Cardinals pressured FIU full-court up until Williams Jr. would be fouled in the bonus, hitting 1-of-2 at the line, as the Panthers went on to successfully defend any last-chance looks for the Cardinals to hold on for the 79-74 victory at the final horn.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE - Head Coach Jeremy Ballard, Denver Jones and Petar Krivokapic:
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
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For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit
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