MIAMI — FIU men's basketball will take on UTEP in Conference USA (CUSA) action on Saturday afternoon at home. 

The Panthers (7-11, 1-4 CUSA) face off with the Miners (13-4, 3-1 CUSA) at 2 p.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. UTEP

Time/Site: 2 p.m. ET | Ocean Bank Convocation Center

Series History: UTEP leads 17-3

TV: ESPN+

FIU looks to bounce back following three-straight CUSA defeats, most recently falling to New Mexico State at home on Thursday evening, 59-52. In the game, Vianney Salatchoum returned to the lineup after a two-game absence and recorded his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Jayden Brewer matched Salatchoum with 13 points, which included a transition, windmill dunk that landed him on SportsCenter's Top 10 for the second time this season.

Brewer and Salatchoum continue to make up the Panthers' dynamic duo this season, both ranking in the top-10 in the CUSA charts. Brewer is 10th with 14.3 ppg and fifth in FG percentage, shooting 47.4 percent. Salatchoum ranks second in the league with 2.0 blocks per game, of which ranks 26th-nationally. 

As FIU prepares to face the Miners at home, it will look to duplicate last season's dramatic 72-68 win on Saturday, Jan. 13. In the game, Dashon Gittens scored 19 points for the Panthers, whom erased a 15-point deficit with 7:16 to go to claim the four-point victory. 

SCOUTING UTEP

The Miners are off to a solid start in CUSA play, most recently defeating Liberty in a 72-70 thriller in Lynchburg. In the win, Otis Frazier III led the scoring with 14 points while Ahamad Bynum and Corey Camper, Jr. chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively. Bynum made a clutch shot with five seconds left with the score tied at 70-all to give the Miners the road win. 

This season, UTEP is first-nationally in steals per game (11.0) and turnovers forced per game (18.0). Along with their strong defensive unit, the Miners have shot the ball well from distance, shooting 38.4 percent from three, second-best in CUSA. Individually, Camper, Jr. ranks 14th nationally and first in CUSA with 42 steals, an average of 2.47 steals per game. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUHoops), Twitter (@FIUHoops), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensBball) for all the latest Men's Basketball news.

General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.