MURFREESORO, Tenn. – Four-time Conference USA Freshman of the Week Arturo Dean set a new single-season record for steals by a freshman on Saturday, however, FIU would squander a 24-point lead to see Middle Tennessee (17-11, 10-7 C-USA) storm back for a 69-58 win inside the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dean led three Panthers in double figures with 15 points, as the Panthers drop to 13-14 overall and 7-9 in league action.
 
Arturo Dean passed FIU legend Carlos Arroyo for the freshman single-season steals record with 67 steals, as the first-year ranks fifth in the NCAA in steals and steals per game (2.5).  Additionally, Dean pulled down five rebounds and three assists to lead the Panthers on the evening.

The Blue Raiders outscored FIU 42-17 over the final 20 minutes, holding the Panthers scoreless for the final 6:28 of the contest, while finishing the game on a 13-0 run to secure the comeback victory.
 
Graduate guard John Williams Jr. finished in double figures for the second straight game with 12 points and two rebounds, while junior Javaunte Hawkins added 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three to pair with five rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Petar Krivokapic pitched in six points on a pair of threes (2-of-3), in addition to a team-high six rebounds, while classmate Jaden Grant notched a career-high six points behind a career-best 2-of-3 shooting from deep.
 
The Panthers opened the contest blistering hot, burying seven first-half threes at a 50.0 percent clip, while holding MTSU to just 34.6 shooting and 2-of-12 from three (16.7%) with 20-point leads to hold a 41-27 edge at the intermission.
 
FIU held the Blue Raiders to 37.1 percent in the second half (13-for-35), though, 15 of the Panthers' 17 turnovers came in the final stanza – seeing MTSU capitalize for 22 points in return throughout the night.
 
Additionally, Middle Tennessee dominated the offensive glass, tallying 20 second-chance points for the night behind 19 offensive rebounds en route to finishing with a 43-35 rebound advantage.
 
The Blue Raiders finished the game 36.1 percent from the field and just 4-of-17 from beyond the arc (23.5%), though, earning its keep from the charity stripe on 21-of-26 shooting (80.8%) for the game. Camryn Weston led three Blue Raiders in double figures with 14 points, followed by DeAndre Dishman (11) and Elias King (10).
 
UP NEXT
FIU returns to Miami to host UTEP inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Thursday, Feb. 23, for a 7 p.m. matchup to be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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