MIAMI, Fla. – Freshmen Jayden Brewer and Dashon Gittens stepped up with a pair of career-best performances to lead the Panthers, though, FIU came up just short to UTEP (13-15, 6-11 C-USA) inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Thursday night, 87-82. Brewer and Gittens led four Panthers in double figures with 22 and 17 points, respectively, as FIU slips to 13-15 overall and 7-10 in the Conference USA.
 
Jayden Brewer, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., connected on 10-of-13 shots en route to his career-high 22 points, in addition to snagging a career-high four rebounds in 25 minutes. Dashon Gittens tallied his 10^th game in doubles figures this season, hitting 6-of-8 from the floor for a season-high 17 points to pair with a career-best five steals and four rebounds.
 
The Panthers finished the contest 47.1 percent from the field, though, 3-point shooting plagued FIU down the stretch upon a 2-for-12 outing from deep (16.7%) – while UTEP buried 66.7 percent of its looks from three on 8-of-12 shooting (66.7%).
 
Additionally, the Miners posted balanced performances with 38 points inside the paint on 58.7 percent shooting, while also finishing 25-of-35 at the charity stripe for the night (71.4%).
 
Arturo Dean pitched in 12 points, six assists and three rebounds and steals apiece, while John Williams Jr. rounded out the Panthers in double figures with 12 points and three rebounds.

Arturo Dean continues to elevate up the single-season freshman record list, moving into second all-time in single-season assists (94) and seventh all-time in points (330) by a freshman. 
 
After trailing 40-32 through the opening 20 minutes, the Miners came out the half with the edge in ballooning the lead to as much as 20 points with 16:53 on the clock, 54-34.
 
FIU clawed back behind an 8-0 run, capped by a vicious and-one transition dunk from Dashon Gittens, to cut the margin (54-42) prior to a pair of layups from Arturo Dean and Jayden Brewer bringing the spread within single digits at 57-48 (12:49).

MY GOODNESS, @GittensDashon 😳🤯@ESPNAssignDesk | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/tzglVtwuwb

— FIU Men's Basketball (@FIUHoops) February 24, 2023

 
The Panthers rattled off 11 of the following 16 points to come within one possession after Dean free throws at 62-59, though, an 8-0 UTEP run reclaimed a double-figure cushion with 5:40 to play, 70-59. A Gitten three ensued to see both teams exchange baskets down the stretch up until FIU rallied in its full-court press to cut the margin to three with 22 seconds remaining (84-81).
 
FIU used a 6-0 spurt with a pair of layups from John Williams Jr., Jayden Brewer and Brewer free throws to trail 78-74. Fouling in the full-court press, the Panthers continued to answer UTEP free throws in the bonus with layups from Dean and Williams Jr. prior to another Dean finish forcing a Miners timeout at 84-81.
 
Gittens hit a free throw to answer a pair of UTEP makes at the line with 0:07 remaining, 86-82, as UTEP would ultimately survive a final press-break scenario to ice the game at the line and walk away with the victory, 87-82.
 
The Miners had four finish in double figures, led by Shamar Givance with 22 points and 10 assists, followed by Ze'rik Onyema with 19 points and six rebounds.

New @showtimejbrew career high (10 PTS): ✅ pic.twitter.com/AnQDeLnGET

— FIU Men's Basketball (@FIUHoops) February 24, 2023

 
UP NEXT
FIU hosts UTSA inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Saturday, Feb. 25, for Senior Night. Tip-off is slated for a 7 p.m. 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.