MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program dropped its home opener to Tarleton State, 82-65, on Thursday evening inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

Arturo Dean and Jonathan Aybar each had 14 points to lead the scoring effort. For Tarleton State, Jakorie Smith scored a career-high 34 points on 6-of-10 shooting from three. 

The Panthers faced an early deficit, trailing by 12 with 11:02 remaining. FIU found its footing as the half progressed, chipping away to get within two with 1:30 left in the first half. TSU scored the final four points of the half to take a six-point lead into the locker room. 

Mohamed Sanogo made two early baskets to pull the Panthers within four with 18:13 left in the game, but FIU could not get any closer. Dashon Gittens made a three-pointer with 17:11 to go to cut the deficit back to six before TSU went on a final run to stretch its lead to 15 at the 7:15 mark. 

Defensively, the FIU press forced 26 Texan turnovers and scored 18 points off those miscues. On the flip side, FIU turned it over 21 times, resulting in 24 points of their own.

Jayden Brewer joined Dean and Aybar in double-figures with 10 points. Aybar also had a team-high five rebounds. 

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FIU takes on Miami in a crosstown showdown on Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Coral Gables.