FORT MYERS, Fla. — FIU's men's basketball team fell late to Northeastern 60-58 in its opening game of the FGCU MTE on Friday afternoon.
With the scored tied at 58-all following a made free throw from Jonathan Aybar, Northeastern made a game-winning layup with three seconds to go to go up 60-58. Asim Jones heaved a baseline pass downcourt to a jumping Aybar, who dished it to Dashon Gittens for a game-winning buzzer beater three, of which spun around and out to confirm the result.
The Panthers (1-4) led the Huskies (4-1) 57-56 with 1:36 to go after an Aybar free throw. Northeastern responded with a basket with 44 seconds left, setting the stage for the wild finish in the last 30 seconds. Aybar finished with nine points, including a crucial three-pointer late in the second half, and added seven rebounds in 24 minutes.
Vianney Salatchoum scored a season-high 14 points on 7-for-10 shooting with six rebounds and two blocks. Jayden Brewer had eight points, four rebounds, one assist and one block.
Ashton Williamson and Jones each chipped in six points. Kole Williams and Okechukwu Okeke each contributed four points in solid minutes off the bench.
Salatchoum led FIU with 10 points in the first half and the Panthers trailed 30-27 after the first 20 minutes. The game was back-and-forth and extremely close throughout, exemplified by its 23 lead changes and 13 tie scores. Neither team led by more than five points in the entire game.
With Salatchoum and Aybar's efficiency, the Panthers were dominant in the paint with 48 points inside. FIU shot just 5-for-11 from the free throw line and 1-for-9 from distance, but shot 46.4 percent from the field overall.
UP NEXT
FIU takes on Cal State Bakersfield at 11 a.m. tomorrow inside Alico Arena as the Panthers continue their weekend at the FGCU MTE.
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.
