GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands — FIU's men's basketball program mounted a furious second-half comeback, but fell to Marshall 80-69 at the Cayman Islands Classic on Monday evening. 

The Panthers (1-5) trailed by 19 at the half, but cut the Marshall (2-2) lead to six with with 7:24 to go on a layup from Petar Krivokapic. 

Marshall, however, responded with the next six points to push the lead back to double-digits, a deficit FIU would not overcome.

Jonathan Aybar led the scoring effort with 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting, adding five rebounds and two steals. Krivokapic added 12 points and had a team-high four steals. Javaunte Hawkins was also in double-digits on 3-for-7 shooting from deep. 

FIU's defense was once again effective, racking up 15 steals and forcing 19 Marshall turnovers. The Panthers held the Thundering Herd to just 29.2 percent shooting from three, but Marshall was very effective from the free throw line, making 21-of-22 attempts.

The Panthers struggled from three, going 7-for-29 (24.1%) and from the free throw line, shooting 50.0 percent on 12 attempts. Marshall led 44-25 at the half, FIU's second-largest halftime deficit this season. 

The Panthers will take on LMU of California tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. to conclude their three-game stretch at the Cayman Islands Classic.