MIAMI, Fla. – Five Panthers finished in double figures on Saturday night, though, it wouldn't be enough to overcome a hungry UTSA squad, 95-91, inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Senior Night. Graduate guard John Williams Jr. led FIU with a season-high 18 points, as FIU moves to 13-16 and 7-11 in the Conference USA.
 
The Panthers finished its home slate with an 11-7 mark for the 2022-23 campaign this season, as the Roadrunners move to 9-21 and 3-16 in the league upon coming back from down as much as 16 points for the win.
 
John Williams Jr. net a season-high 18 points – all recorded in the first half – to lead the Panthers on 7-of-9 shooting, including a season-high four 3-pointers (4-of-5), to pair with four rebounds and a block. Sophomore Petar Krivokapic followed with a season-high 17 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep, in addition to a team-high five rebounds and two steals.
 
Freshman Jayden Brewer added his second straight game in double figures with 15 points and four rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench, followed by Denver Jones with 12 points, including 7-of-7 from the stripe, two assists and two steals apiece. Arturo Dean rounded out the Panthers in double figures with 11 points, a season-high tying seven assists and five rebounds.
 
Javaunte Hawkins added eight points behind 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc in 15 minutes as a reserve.
 
The Panthers lit up on 51.8 percent shooting for the night, including burying 11-of-18 from deep (61.1%) and hitting 22-of-27 from the stripe (81.5%), though, FIU handed UTSA numerous opportunities with its turnovers and lack of rebounding on the defensive end.
 
UTSA turned 20 FIU turnovers into 25 points in return for the contest, while also tallying 24 second chance points on 20 offensive boards.
 
The Roadrunners tallied 44 points inside the paint en route to shooting 47.0 percent for the contest, while nailing eight threes at a 40.0 percent clip (8-for-20) and hitting 25-of-31 from the free-throw line (80.6%).
 
Eight of FIU's 11 threes came in the first half, as FIU hit 58.8 percent of its looks to exceed the 50-point threshold upon a 56-42 first-half lead. Unfortunately, 13 second-half turnovers would allow for UTSA to make up the difference and come back for the win after seven tied margins and three lead changes over the final 20 minutes.

UTSA outscored the Panthers 53-35 over the final 20 minutes, while holding a lead for just 6:44 of the contest.
 
Additionally, the Roadrunners finished with the edge on the boards, 40-29, while seeing its bench finish with a 46-29 differential for the night.
 
UTSA placed five Roadrunners in double digits also, led by John Buggs III (18 points) and Jacob Germany with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
FIU travels to face Louisiana Tech next Thursday, Mar. 2, in Ruston, La., as tip-off is slated for a 7 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.