BOCA RATON, Fla. – The FIU men's basketball team rallied from 22 points down to get within two before eventually coming up just short in an 84-76 decision at FAU in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Panthers never led in the contest and trailed by as many as 22 points with 3:53 left in the first half but roared back in the second to get within two at 78-76 with 1:11 left on a layup by senior Clevon Brown, but unfortunately would get no closer as the Owls would go on to score the next six points from the free throw line to seal the win.
 
FIU closes out the regular season 15-16 overall and 5-13 in Conference USA action.  The Panthers will open postseason play as the No. 6 seed/East at the 2022 Conference USA Men's Basketball Championship vs. No. 7 seed/East Marshall on Tuesday, March 8.
 
The Panthers outscored the Owls 47-34 over the final 20 minutes of Saturday's loss and were paced by sophomore Javaunte Hawkins who tallied a team-high 21 points, while shooting 8-of-14 overall and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. 
 
Brown tied a season-high with 20 points while adding nine rebounds in the win.  He did so by shooting a solid 9-of-11 from the field.  Denver Jones added 17 points while going 9-of-10 from the free throw line and Aquan Smart chipped in 10.
 
UP NEXT:  The Panthers open postseason play as the No. 6 seed (East) in the 2022 Conference USA Men's Basketball Championship on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Marshall (No. 7 seed/East).
 
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.