MIAMI, Fla. - The FIU men's basketball team returns to Conference USA action this Saturday afternoon (Dec. 31), traveling to face North Texas at The Super Pit for a 4 p.m. ET tip in Denton, Texas.

Saturday, December 31, 2022 at North Texas (10-3, 1-1 C-USA)

• Site / Time: 4 p.m. ET at The Super Pit
• TV: ESPN+ (Kyle Youmans and D.J. Draper)
• Radio: FIU Radio (AJ Ricketts)
• Live Stats
• Series History: UNT leads 17-7

FIU returns to Conference USA action after completing its nonconference slate with a 69-64 win over Florida College on Thursday evening (Dec. 29). The victory evened the Panthers' overall record at 6-6 on the season, while notching the squad's sixth home win this season with a 6-2 mark inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. 

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Conversely, the Panthers have struggled on the road (0-4) and look to pick up its first road victory with an in-conference road test against the Mean Green - who are coming off a 50-46 loss to FIU on Thursday.

The Panthers were led by Petar Krivokapic and Dashon Gittens both with 15 points in Thursday's win over the Falcons, as Krivokapic notched season-highs with 15 points and six rebounds while burying 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. The sophomore guard has upped his contributions for the Panthers over the past five games, hitting 10-of-23 from deep range (43.5%) while averaging 9.2 points and 3.4 rebounds over the stretch. Gittens continues to be consistent in his starting role for the Panthers, having notched six games in double figures, with 8.9 points per game on efficient percentages of 49.4 percent from the field anf 37.9 percent from three. 

Leading scorer Denver Jones (17.7 ppg) looks to return to action in Saturday's contest after sitting out of Thursday's, while Arturo Dean's presence continues to be felt on both sides of the ball at 12.1 points per game and 2.3 steals per game. Additionally, FIU benefits from a deep bench that contributes 29.8 points on average - tabbed second-best in the Conference USA.

FIU forced 18 turnovers in Thursday's win, averaging 17.7 forced turnovers per contest (21st NCAA) behind a league-best 9.8 steals per game (17th NCAA). 

LAST TIME OUT
The Panthers and Mean Green last matched up on Feb. 27, 2020, as FIU fell in Miami, 78-59. North Texas has won the past three matchups against the Panthers, as FIU's last win over UNT came on March 9, 2019, 73-58, at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. 

UP NEXT
FIU returns to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for a crucial three-game homestand that welcomes a strong bunch of Conference USA opponents, starting with Charlotte on Thursday, Jan. 5. The matchup is slated for a 7 p.m. tip to be broadcast 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.