MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program hosts Liberty for a Conference USA (CUSA) matchup on Thursday night at 7 p.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers (8-18, 3-8 CUSA) look to hit their stride as the CUSA Tournament approaches, welcoming the Flames (16-10, 5-6 CUSA) to Miami. In the previous tilt between these two teams, FIU battled to a 78-69 defeat in Lynchburg on Jan. 18.
Javaunte Hawkins poured in 24 points, making 6-of-13 three-pointers to lead the Panthers. Arturo Dean added 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Dean continues his reign as the national leader in steals with 89 steals on the season, an average of 3.6 per game. He is approaching the FIU single-season mark of 101 steals, held by Brian Beard Jr, with at least six guaranteed games to go.
FIU has had success at home in CUSA play, winning 3-of-5 games. The Panthers begin their final home stand with the Liberty game, taking on Jax State on Feb. 24 and WKU on March 2 to complete their home schedule.
SCOUTING LIBERTY
The Flames had won three-straight games in CUSA play before suffering a 83-73 setback at Sam Houston in their last game on Feb. 17. Liberty has struggled on the road in conference play, holding a 1-5 record.
Kyle Rode ranks ninth in CUSA with 13.4 points per game and has made a league-high 75 threes to lead the Liberty offense. The Flames are efficient offensively, shooting 46.5 percent from the field, of which ranks second in CUSA.
Most of the Liberty offense comes from behind the three-point line as the Flames shoot a CUSA-best 36.5 percent and make a league-high 10.3 threes per game.
