MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program fell to UTEP in Conference USA (CUSA) play on Saturday afternoon inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers (7-12, 1-5 CUSA) faced an eight-point halftime deficit to the Miners (14-4, 4-1 CUSA), but chipped away at UTEP's advantage, trailing by just four with 1:51 to go in the contest. UTEP held FIU to just points in the final two minutes and knocked down a slew of clutch free throws to claim the 81-73 victory.
Jonathan Aybar led the way for the Panthers with 17 points and six rebounds, adding two blocks and two steals in 33 minutes of action. Vianney Salatchoum chipped in 14 points and six rebounds, blocking two shots. Kole Williams provided a spark off the bench, scoring 13 points, a season-high for the freshman.
Asim Jones and Dashon Gittens each had nine points. FIU shot 46.6 percent from the field and was 15-for-20 from the free throw line, but went 4-for-17 from deep. For UTEP, the Miner offense shot 53.8 percent from the field and knocked down 10-of-23 three-pointers.
FIU faced an early 15-8 deficit, but pulled within one, trailing 24-23 following a layup from Aybar. With the score 35-34 in UTEP's favor with 3:43 to go in the first half, the Miners used a 9-2 run to gain the momentum going into the halftime locker room.
UTEP's lead ballooned to 16 points with 14:43 remaining with a 10-2 run to start the second stanza. Williams and fellow freshman Ashton Williamson combined to score 15 consecutive points for the Panthers in the middle part of the second half as FIU kept the Miners within striking distance. \
Aybar knocked down two free throws with 2:44 to go and, after an FIU stop, Salatchoum delivered a tip-in to get within four, down 75-71. UTEP delivered the knockout blow, however, with one final run to seal the win.
UP NEXT
FIU will take on Liberty at home to close out its three-game CUSA homestand on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.
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