MIAMI – Senior Eric Lovett scored a career-high 25 points and connected on 7-of-9 three-point attempts in the FIU men's basketball team's 86-82 loss against Louisiana Tech on Saturday night before a near capacity home crowd at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
The Panthers trailed by five points at halftime, before responding with an offensive explosion in the final 20 minutes that saw them shoot 62.9 percent from the field, while making 22-of-35 shot attempts.  In addition, FIU hit on 9-of-16 (56.3%) from beyond the arc in the second half.
 
FIU, who trailed by as many as 10 with 2:57 left in the opening half, got to within one point at 62-61 with 7:09 left in regulation on a trey by Lovett, but the Bulldogs ran off a 13-4 spurt immediately to reclaim a 10-point margin at 75-65 with just under four minutes left.
 
The Panthers continued to fight back and managed to get within one at 80-79 with 45 ticks left following a pair of made free throws by Denver Jones.  Louisiana Tech's Kenneth Lofton Jr. followed by making a quick layup while being fouled.  He connected on the free throw attempt to put the Bulldogs up 83-79 with 43 seconds remaining.
 
Following two more La. Tech free throws from Cobe Williams, that increased the margin to six, Jones made a driving layup with contact and connected on the ensuing free throw attempt to get FIU back within three, but two more makes from the charity stripe by Lofton would seal the win for the Bulldogs.
 
The two teams struggled offensively in the opening 20 minutes as neither managed to shoot better than 35 percent from the field and entered halftime with Louisiana Tech holding a 30-25 edge.  FIU committed 12 of its 17 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Joining Lovett in double figures for the Panthers was Jones (17), Tevin Brewer (13 pts/8 assists) and Isaiah Banks (12 pts/5 rebounds).  Seth Pinkney added nine boards in the loss.
 
Louisiana Tech was paced to the victory by Lofton and Amorie Archibald, who each recorded 21 points.  Keaston Willis added 19.  Lofton also tabbed 13 rebounds and seven assists – to finish just three helpers shy of a triple-double.
 
UP NEXT:  The Panthers will close out their current three-game homestand on Monday, Feb. 7 vs. Charlotte.
 
Tip time is set for 5 p.m. ET at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.  The game will be televised on Conference USA TV.
 
TICKETS
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