MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU men's basketball team returns back to Ocean Bank Convocation Center this week with a pair of pivotal league matchups on its home floor, starting with hosting Louisiana Tech on Thursday, Feb. 9, for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
 
Thursday, Feb. 9 vs. Louisiana Tech (13-10, 6-6 C-USA)

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• TV: ESPN+ (AJ Ricketts and Patrick Murray)
• Live Stats
• Radio: FIU3932 Sports (Jonathan Mayer and Shamry Touze)
• Game Notes: FIU | La. Tech
• Tickets
• Series History: LA Tech leads 9-7

 
FIU returns back to action on its home court, in which the Panthers sit at 10-4 at home, for a crucial league matchup that could see the Panthers hop Louisiana Tech in the league standings. The Bulldogs have won the past three meetings, though, FIU looks for its first win over Louisiana Tech since 2019 to bounce back into the win column.
 
The Panthers came back from down 19 to nearly stun UAB in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, though, falling 76-72 inside Bartow Arena. Denver Jones paced the team with a game-high 22 points, as the sophomore leads the Conference USA in scoring through league action (20.4 ppg) while having reached double figures in 20 games this season.
 
Overall, Jones sits second in the league in scoring (19.5 ppg), field goal percentage (49.5%) and free-throw percentage (85.8%), while shooting 38.8 percent from three.
 
Arturo Dean contributed 15 points, six assists and four steals, increasing his steal total on the season to 59 – good four fourth in the nation and seventh in steals per game (2.5). The three-time Freshman of the Week sits third in the league in field goal percentage (46.7%) behind Jones, while averaging 11.8 points and pacing the squad at 4.2 rebounds.
 
Sophomore Mohamed Sanogo continues to take leaps in his sophomore season, netting just his second 20-point performance over the weekend with 20 points and seven rebounds on Saturday. Sanogo's production has increased significantly for the Panthers, having reached double figures five times on averages of 7.2 points on 72.3 percent shooting.
 
Additionally, Sanogo has pulled down five or more rebounds on eight occasions to help on the glass, while also adding 1.1 blocks per game.
 
The Panthers have pulled it together from beyond the arc, clicking at a 33.8 percent rate in Conference USA games, paced by the shooting of Nick Guadarrama (39.7%), Denver Jones (36.2%) and Petar Krivokapic (35.4%) through six league wins. Javaunte Hawkins has also been key in stretches as a capable shooter at 32.3 percent in league games.
 
FIU's strength lies in its defense, continuing to disrupt teams defensively in forcing 16.3 turnovers (22^nd NCAA) off an average of 9.0 steals per game (23^rd NCAA).
 
SCOUTING LA TECH:
The Panthers battled Louisiana Tech to the wire in their last meeting in Miami on Feb. 5, 2022, 86-82, as the Bulldogs hold a three-game streak over FIU.
 
FIU's last win came in Miami on Mar. 3, 2019, when the Panthers dropped the Bulldogs, 83-76.
 
UP NEXT
FIU hosts Rice on Saturday, Feb. 11, for Alumni Night and 2000's Night inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. 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.