MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU men's basketball team looks to conclude a weekend sweep inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, as the Panthers host Rice in Miami on Alumni Night on Saturday, Feb. 11, for a 7 p.m. tip.
 
Saturday, Feb. 11 vs. Rice (15-9, 6-7 C-USA)

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• TV: ESPN+ (AJ Ricketts and Anne O'Neil)
• Radio: FIU3932 Sports (Jonathan Mayer and Shamyr Touze)
• Live Stats
• Tickets
• Game Notes: FIU | Rice

 
FIU collected its seventh league win and 11^th inside the OBCC last night over Louisiana Tech, 66-62, to move into fifth in the Conference USA with a 7-7 league mark. Rice (6-7) fell to FAU on Thursday night, 90-81, as a win over the Owls would put FIU one game ahead.
 
The Panthers hold a two-game streak over the Owls, coming away with an 80-78 win last season in Miami on Feb. 19, 2022, as FIU holds the all-time series edge at 6-4.
 
Additionally, the Panthers are just two wins shy of tying the program record for most home wins in a season (13), while a win over the Owls would tie FIU's largest home win mark under head coach Jeremy Ballard (12, 2018-19).  
 
FIU held Louisiana Tech to just 36.5 percent shooting in Thursday night's win, including just 29.0 percent from three, while overwhelming the Bulldogs with 10 steals defensively and forcing 23 turnovers for the game.
 
The Panthers rank 17^th in the nation and second in the C-USA for forced turnovers (16.6/g), while also ranking second in the C-USA and 23^rd nationally for steals per game (9.0).
 
Freshman Arturo Dean ranks fourth in the nation for total steals (64) and fifth in steals per game (2.6), as the freshman is just three steals shy of breaking FIU's single-season steals record by a freshman, last set by Carlos Arroyo in 1997-98 with 66.
 
Jones added his 21^st performance in double figures and fifth 20-point performance in six games after delivering a game-high 21 points in the 66-62 win. Petar Krivokapic added 12 points behind a pair of threes and 6-of-9 shooting from the stripe, continuing to provide a boost at 38.0 percent from beyond the arc in league play.
 
Mohamed Sanogo pitched in 10 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting, marking his sixth performance in double figures this season, as Dean rounded out FIU's double-digit scorers with 10 points, five steals and rebounds apiece.
 
UP NEXT
FIU receives a week hiatus prior to traveling to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to face Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Feb. 18. Tip-off is slated for a 6 p.m. ET start 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.