MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program used a 47-point first half to defeat Utah Tech 80-66 on Monday afternoon inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers ended both their non-conference slate and the 2024 calendar year on a high note with a convincing 14-point win over the Trailblazers. FIU held Utah Tech to 19 first-half points and exploded for 47 points in the opening 20 minutes, taking a 28-point cushion to the halftime locker room.
The Panthers extended their advantage to 30 early on in the second half and cruised to victory, their third-straight at home. Travis Gray matched a season-high with 15 points, making 3-of-4 attempts from distance while adding five rebounds. Asim Jones facilitated the attack with a season-high seven assists and chipped in 14 points in support. Fellow guard Ashton Williamson dished out six assists and had nine points in 30 minutes of action.
Jonathan Aybar was also in double-digits with 13 points. George Pridgett, Jr. made two threes, finishing with six points off the bench. As a team, FIU shot 54.5 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from deep (7-16).
The Panthers' stifling defense held Utah Tech to 38.9 percent shooting overall and 28.0 from three. In the opening half, FIU allowed the Trailblazers just eight total baskets. The Panthers also forced 19 turnovers.
Up 12-11, FIU ripped off a 23-2 run to go ahead 35-13 with 5:13 remaining. The Panther offense continued to surge as the half wound down and Ashton Williamson put FIU up 30 with a three with 1:19 left. The Panthers went into the halftime locker room with a 47-19 lead, their largest halftime lead of the season.
In the second half, FIU kept a 20-plus point margin until five minutes left in the game. Utah Tech made a small push, but never cut the deficit to single digits. Jones sunk a free throw with 25 seconds to go to cap off the 80-66 win.
Vianney Salatchoum, ranked in top-20 nationally in blocks per game, had three blocks in the contest. The Panthers avenged a 96-92 overtime loss last season on Dec. 30, 2023 to Utah Tech on the road. FIU also secured its first win in the ongoing CUSA-WAC challenge.
UP NEXT
FIU opens Conference USA (CUSA) play on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, hosting Middle Tennessee.
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