MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU men's basketball team looks to extend its momentum after bouncing back in the win column with its first Conference USA road victory, as the Panthers return this week to host Western Kentucky for a vice-themed night on Thursday, Jan. 26, inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
Thursday, Jan. 26 vs. Western Kentucky (11-9, 3-6 C-USA)

• Time / Site:  7 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• TV: ESPN+ (AJ Ricketts and Patrick Murray)
• Radio: FIU3932 Sports (Jonathan Mayer and Shamyr Touze)
• Live Stats
• Tickets
• Game Notes: FIU | WKU
• Series History: WKU leads 37-10

 
FIU welcomes the Hilltoppers inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for a pivotal C-USA matchup Thursday night, as the Panthers are 8-4 on their home court heading into a matchup that sees both squads deadlocked at 3-6 in the league standings.
 
The Panthers earned its first road victory and snapped a four-game skid on Saturday at UTSA, holding on for a 77-72 win behind a game-high 27 points from Denver Jones, which marked his 10^th game this season with 20 or more points – ranked second in the C-USA and 30^th in the NCAA in scoring (19.3 ppg). Petar Krivokapic heated up for 14 points behind 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc, while Conference USA Freshman of the Week Dashon Gittens added 12 points for his eight contest in double figures this season.  
 
FIU's dropped its last two home contests in dramatic fashion and looks to return to its winning ways inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, shooting favorably well when at home on percentages of 48.9 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from 3-point range.
 
Defensively, the Panthers continue to disrupt teams on 16.4 forced turnovers per game – ranked third best in the C-USA and 27^th amongst the NCAA.
 
Additionally, freshman guard Arturo Dean leads the charge defensively, pacing the Conference USA with 48 steals and 2.4 per game – which rank 9^th and 12^th in the nation for both categories, respectively.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Hilltoppers rallied off a 18-4 run late in the second half to earn a double-figure cushion and come away with a 70-59 win over FIU in Bowling Green, Ky., on Jan. 14. Arturo Dean paced the Panthers with team-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds, while Nick Guadarrama and Mohamed Sanogo added 10 points apiece.
 
FIU edged Western Kentucky, 86-83, in its last meeting at the OBCC on Jan. 22, 2022, after Javaunte Hawkins and Eric Lovett each connected on clutch 3-pointers over the final 56 seconds of regulation to hold off the Hilltoppers.
 
UP NEXT
FIU welcomes Middle Tennessee inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, as the Panthers host the Blue Raiders for a 7 p.m. matchup 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.