MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program is set to play Liberty in Conference USA (CUSA) action on Saturday evening inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers (7-12, 1-5 CUSA) take on the Flames (15-4, 3-3 CUSA) at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday evening.
Saturday, Jan. 25 vs. Liberty
Time/Site: 6 p.m. ET | Ocean Bank Convocation Center
Series History: FIU leads 3-2 (1-1 in CUSA era)
TV: ESPN+
FIU looks to get back on track in the midst of a four-game losing streak in CUSA play. The Panthers' lone CUSA victory came back on Jan. 4, a dominant 85-66 win over WKU.
FIU fell last weekend to New Mexico State, 59-52, and to UTEP, 81-73. Vianney Salatchoum returned to action after two missed games to injury and performed well, racking up 27 total points in the two contests. The center from Yaounde, Cameroon also had four combined blocks in those games, bringing his season total to 34. He is currently second in CUSA in blocks and 25th-nationallly with 2.0 blocks per game.
Jonathan Aybar delivered a strong performance against UTEP with 17 points, bringing his career total to 905 points. Jayden Brewer has been the primary scorer for FIU this season, averaging 13.8 ppg, 11th-best in CUSA.
The Panthers split their home-and-home series last season with the Flames, falling 78-69 in Lynchburg, Va. before winning 76-71 at home. Brewer scored 10 points in the home victory, going 6-for-9 from the free throw line and blocking three shots.
SCOUTING LIBERTY
The Flames enter this tilt following a 68-60 win at home over New Mexico State on Jan. 18. This is just Liberty's third road CUSA game of the season as the Flames split their first road trip with a 76-68 win over Sam Houston and a 79=74 defeat to Louisiana Tech.
Liberty is currently CUSA's highest-ranked team in the KenPom charts, sitting at 83rd overall. The Flames are one of the nation's most efficient offenses, ranking in the top-20 nationally in field goal percentage (49.2, 16th), effective field goal percentage (58.1, 9th) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.65, 13th).
The Flames have also been strong defensively, limiting opponents to a CUSA-best 61.5 ppg, of which is eighth-best nationally. Individually, Liberty has a balanced attack with three scorers inside CUSA's top-25. Kaden Metheny, Taelon Peter and Zach Cleveland make up that scoring trio for the Flames. Metheny sits second in CUSA with his 3.1 three-pointers made per game and 55 overall made threes.
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.
