MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program was defeated 77-75 in a back-and-forth contest by Jacksonville State in Conference USA (CUSA) action on Saturday evening at home. 

The Panthers (9-19, 4-9 CUSA) raced out to a 36-27 halftime lead before the Gamecocks (14-14, 6-7 CUSA) responded with 50 second-half points to claim the win. Arturo Dean led FIU with 19 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. 

Javaunte Hawkins poured in 16 points in support with a team-high four assists. Petar Krivokapic finished with 13 points, all of which came in the first half. 

Krivokapic led the Panther surge in the opening 20 minutes, scoring 11 points in a short span to put the Panthers ahead. Hawkins scored with 52 seconds left in the opening stanza to give the Panthers a nine-point advantage at the break. 

In the second half, Dean knocked down a three with 15:08 remaining to give FIU a 13-point lead, ahead 49-36, of which would be the Panthers' largest lead of the game. In just a four-minute span, Jax State cut its deficit to two to put itself back within striking distance.

FIU maintained a small lead until the 4:27 mark when a Jax State three-pointer tied the score at 67-all. The Gamecocks added on to go ahead by nine points with 1:42 left. The Panthers ran off the next seven points, however, to bring the game within two with seven seconds to go. 

After two missed Jax State free throws, Dean had a chance at a game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer, of which fell short to give the Gamecocks the win. 

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FIU has its final home contest, of which will be Senior Night for Hawkins and Seth Pinkney, on Saturday, March 3 at 6 p.m. ET against Western Kentucky.