RUSTON, La. — FIU's men's basketball program was defeated 75-68 by Louisiana Tech in Conference USA (CUSA) play on Saturday afternoon. 

The Panthers (8-18, 3-8 CUSA) closed the second half on a 21-11 run, but a sizable halftime lead built by the Bulldogs (18-8, 8-3 CUSA) proved to be the difference. 

Arturo Dean had a double-double for FIU, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Dean also added three more steals to bring his mark as the NCAA leader to 89. He is now just 12 steals shy of tying former Panther Brian Beard Jr. for the single-season program record of 101, set in 2018-19. 

Petar Krivokapic had 17 points off the bench, knocking down 4-of-6 attempts from deep. He also added five made free throws, three rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes. 

Javaunte Hawkins had 10 points, going 5-for-5 from the free three line. Jaidon Lipscomb made two threes and totaled eight points. 

Down 17 with 6:23 to go, Lipscomb sparked a Panthers' run with a three-pointer. Krivokapic and Hawkins combined for the next five points for FIU to cut the La Tech advantage to eight with 3:31 left.

The Bulldogs continued to hold off a charge from the Panthers down the stretch as a Seth Pinkney dunk with 42 seconds to go cut the lead to seven. La Tech made enough free throws down the stretch to secure the win, however, by a seven-point margin. 

As a team, the Panthers shot well from the free throw line, making 15-of-21 attempts. 

UP NEXT

FIU returns home for a three-game homestand in CUSA play, first taking on Liberty on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. ET.