MIAMI – Junior Tevin Brewer matched a career-high with 25 points and freshman Denver Jones tabbed 20 as the FIU men's basketball team hung on for an 80-78 victory on Saturday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
The Panthers, who led by as many as 17 points less than three minutes into the second half, survived a strong second half push from Rice, which tied the contest at 61-61 with 7:11 left in regulation.
 
FIU was the more physical team throughout as it outrebounded the Owls by a decisive 42-28 margin, including 12 offensive boards.  The Panthers won the second-chance point battle 11-4 and made 18-of-24 trips to the charity stripe.  Rice only managed seven trips to the foul line.
 
The win marked the Panthers' second in their last three contests and moves their overall record to 15-12 and 5-9 in league action.  FIU boasts a mark of 11-4 on its home floor following the victory.  Rice slips to 14-12 overall and 6-8 in C-USA play.
 
Brewer dropped 20 or more points for the seventh time this season.  He has recorded double-digit scoring totals in 23 of 27 games this season.  Jones had his way at the foul line as he connected on 10-of-12 attempts from the free throw line as part of his 20-point effort.  Senior Isaiah Banks added 15 on 5-of-6 shooting.
 
Travis Evee paced Rice in the loss with 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting.  Carl Pierre added 15 points and Chris Mullins chipped in 14 for the Owls.
 
The Panthers only trailed for a total of 2:34 in the contest – all of which was early in the first half.
 
UP NEXT:  The Panthers open a stretch that will see them play three of their final four games on the road beginning on Thursday, Feb. 24 in a 7 p.m. tip at Charlotte.
 
The game will be televised live 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.