MIAMI, Fla. – FIU prepares for a crucial road matchup with an in-state foe this weekend, as the Panthers travel to face FGCU at Alico Arena on Sunday, Dec. 4, for a 6 p.m. tip.
 
Sunday, Dec. 4 at FGCU (6-2)

• Time / Site: 6 p.m. at Alico Arena
• TV: ESPN+ (John Vittas and Greg Anderson)
• Radio (AJ Ricketts)
• Live Stats
• Game Notes: FIU | FGCU
• Series History: FIU leads 9-5

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 The Panthers closed a four-game home stand with a tough setback against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday (Nov. 30), 80-68, as FIU shifts its focus to the first of a three-game road swing against FGCU.
 
The Panthers haven't lost a single matchup to the Eagles under head coach Jeremy Ballard and have won the past five matchups dating back to 2017. FIU's last loss to the Eagles came in Fort Myers, 82-63, on Dec. 11, 2016.
 
Despite rough percentages from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line in FIU's last appearance, the Panthers continue to be efficient scoring the ball, averaging 81.7 points (2^nd C-USA) on 50.7 percent shooting from the field – marked 12^th in the nation for the category.
 
FIU has been dominant scoring inside the paint this season, having outscored five of its seven opponents inside the paint – including a massive 52-26 differential against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday – while keeping a relatively balanced attack with 7.1 threes per game at a 31.3 percent clip.
 
Despite the percentages, the Panthers have shown its capability from deep having hit 10 or more threes on three occasions this season.
 
Additionally, FIU's reserves continue to contribute significantly, providing 32.1 points off the bench per contest, highlighted by 13.7 points from freshman Arturo Dean, 9.4 points from John Williams Jr. and 6.0 points from sophomore forward Mohamed Sanogo.
 
FIU's intensity on defense continues to carry, seeing the Panthers ranked 16^th in the nation for steals per game (10.1) while forcing 17.6 turnovers on average (33^rd NCAA / 3^rd C-USA).
 
LAST TIME OUT
FIU pushed its seventh-straight victory en route to notching its best start in program history last season with a 77-61 victory over the Eagles inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Dec. 1, 2021.
 
The Panthers used an extended and decisive 22-7 run over the final 9:27 to turn what had been a tightly played contest into a convincing 16-point victory. 
 
SCOUTING FGCU
FGCU is off to a 6-2 start under first-year head coach Pat Chambers, as the Eagles have held its opponents to 61 points or less – highlighted by a 70-53 win at Georgia Southern on Wednesday. Additionally, the Eagles recently picked up a trio of wins in Estero, Fla., for the 2022 Gulf Coast Showcase, dropping Northern Kentucky (82-61), Drexel (67-59) and Kansas City in the Championship game (73-59) to earn the Gulf Coast Showcase title.
 
Three Eagles average double figures, led by Isaiah Thompson (14.3 ppg), Chase Johnston (13.1 ppg) and Zach Anderson (12.5 ppg). Caleb Catto paces the Eagles with 2.9 assists per contest, while Anderson leads the squad at 7.3 rebounds. FGCU comes into Sunday's contest averaging 9.9 threes per game at a 35.1 percent clip, as FIU has struggled to defend the arc this season with teams shooting 39.8 percent from deep against the Panthers.
 
UP NEXT
FIU takes a week hiatus prior to traveling to Washington, D.C., for a matchup at Howard on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The contest is slated for a 7 p.m. tip inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
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.