MIAMI, Fla. – Sophomore Denver Jones led four Panthers in double figures with a game-high 21 points to lift FIU to its seventh league victory with a 66-62 win over Louisiana Tech (13-11, 6-7 C-USA) inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Thursday night. The win marks their first over the Bulldogs since 2019, snapping a three-game skid, as FIU moves to 13-12 overall and 7-7 in the Conference USA.
 
The Panthers jump up to fifth in the C-USA upon the win, as Louisiana Tech (6-7) and Rice (6-7) slide to sixth and seventh, respectively, after losses on the evening – with FIU slated to host Rice on Saturday (Feb. 11).
 
Additionally, the win marked FIU's 11^th inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center this season, as a win Saturday would match the most wins inside The Bank under head coach Jeremy Ballard (12, 2018-19).
 
Jones, who continues to lead the league in scoring through conference games (20.4 ppg), poured in his 14^th 20-point performance this season and fourth straight to lead with a game-high 21 points, including hitting seven free throws. Additionally, the New Market, Ala., native added four steals, a team-high three assists and two rebounds.
 
Petar Krivokapic added 12 points behind two threes and six free throws, followed by forward Mohamed Sanogo with 11 points on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, four rebounds and a block. Freshman Arturo Dean rounds out the Panthers in double digits with his 17^th game in double figures this season on totals of 10 points, five steals, five rebounds and two assists.
 
The Panthers erupted in the second half, connecting on 12-of-23 in the frame (52.2%) to finish 44.9 percent from the field for the game, while also finishing 12-for-17 from the stripe (70.6%) over the final 20 minutes to secure the win despite rough percentages in the first half.
 
Conversely, FIU clamped down to hold the Bulldogs to just 36.5 percent shooting overall for the game, including just 29.0 percent from three (9-of-31), while Louisiana Tech struggled from the line on 7-of-13 for the night (53.8%).
 
The Panthers trailed 30-28 at the intermission prior to opening the second half amassing a 17-0 run, having finished the first half on a 9-0 run before opening the second frame with an 8-0 spurt, to snatch the lead after a Petar Krivokapic three, 36-30.
 
Jones nailed a pair of jumpers to follow prior to Krivokapic burying another trey from Arturo Dean to hold a six-point cushion by the under-12 media, 43-37. FIU's attack persisted in seeing a Jones step-back and Dean finish push its largest lead of the night at 47-38 as the Panthers continued to maintain its lead at 52-46 after a Jones and-one finish at the rim.
 
The Bulldogs slowly dug into the lead, eventually reclaiming a brief one-point edge after an alley-oop with 3:25 remaining (56-55), though, Jones found Mohamed Sanogo on the next trip down for a ferocious two-hand slam to snatch the edge back, 57-56. Krivokapic free throws pushed the lead, as Jones answered a Bulldogs' layup with a tough floater over two defenders to keep the advantage at 61-58.
 
The Bulldogs came within one point once more, though, Krivokapic and Jones would ultimately convert at the stripe in the double bonus, finishing the game at the line to pull away for the 66-62 margin at the end of regulation.
 
Postgame Press Conference - Head Coach Jeremy Ballard, Denver Jones and Mohamed Sanogo:



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
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