MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program preps for its final home game of the 2023-24 season, welcoming Western Kentucky to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Saturday, March 2 for a 6 p.m. tip-off.
The Panthers (9-19, 4-9 CUSA) will honor their seniors Javaunte Hawkins and Seth Pinkney pre-game as part of their Senior Day celebration. FIU looks to close out its home slate on a high note against WKU (19-9, 8-6 CUSA) before the Panthers gear up for the Conference USA (CUSA) Championships.
Hawkins will graduate as FIU's leader in career three-pointers made after surpassing the previous mark earlier this season. The senior guard has been an integral part in the Panthers' lineup this season, posting career highs in nearly every statistical category. The Lee's Summit, Mo. native raised his scoring average from 5.8 ppg to 12.3 ppg this season and ranks within the top-five in CUSA in three point percentage and three pointers made.
Pinkney has notched career-highs in most statistical categories in his senior season, having started in all 29 games. The Philadelphia, Pa. native is currently fourth all-time in FIU history in blocked shots for his career, totaling 113 blocked shots in his three seasons in Miami.
Following its matchup with Western Kentucky, FIU will travel to UTEP and New Mexico State for its final two regular season CUSA home games on March 7 and 9, respectively. The Panthers will then head straight to Huntsville, Ala. to prepare for the CUSA Tournament, of which runs March 12-16.
SCOUTING WKU
WKU sits firmly in the third-spot in the CUSA standings headed into the final week of the season. The Hilltoppers were on a five-game win streak in CUSA before falling in their last two contests to MTSU and La Tech.
Don McHenry sits third in CUSA with 15.8 ppg and leads the WKU offense. Brandon Newman and Rodney Howard each also average double-digits for a well-balanced Hilltopper offense.
Western Kentucky leads CUSA with its 80.0 ppg in CUSA play, but has the league's second-to-last ranked defense, giving up 75.1 ppg.
When the two teams met on Jan. 25, fans were treated to a high-scoring matchup that featured 196 combined points. WKU came away with a 105-91 victory, outscoring FIU 56-45 in the second half.
