MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program will hit the road for a meeting with UTEP in Conference USA (CUSA) play on Thursday evening in El Paso, Texas. 

The Panthers (8-16, 2-9 CUSA) take on the Miners (16-7, 6-4 CUSA) at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT in El Paso on Thursday night. 

Thursday, Feb. 13 at UTEP

Time/Site: 7 p.m. ET | Don Haskins Center

Series History: UTEP leads 18-3

Last Meeting: UTEP def. FIU, 81-73 (Jan. 18, 2025)

TV: ESPN+

In its most recent weekend of CUSA play, FIU split its contests, winning over Sam Houston and falling to Louisiana Tech. 

The win over Sam Houston came in the thrilling overtime contest on Thursday evening, 85-82, snapping a seven-game losing streak for the Panthers. After falling behind by 15 at the half to Louisiana Tech, FIU could not mount a second-half comeback, falling short 82-71.

Jayden Brewer led the Panthers in scoring in both games, racking up a career-high 25 points in the win over the Bearkats. The junior wing continues his standout season for FIU, averaging 14.9 ppg, eighth-most in CUSA. 

Jonathan Aybar increased his career point total to 962, just 38 points shy of the 1,000-point milestone. Aybar would be the first Panther to eclipse this milestone since Trejon Jacob, who scored 1,135 points in three seasons from 2017-20. 

In the previous meeting between UTEP and FIU in Miami, Aybar led the scoring with 17 points while Vianney Salatchoum and Kole Williams chipped in 14 and 13, respectively. FIU trailed by eight at the half and were down by as many as 14 in the second half, but pulled within four points with 1:23 to go. 

SCOUTING THE MINERS

UTEP most recently defeated rival-New Mexico State in Las Cruces, 66-63, on Saturday, Feb. 8. For the Miners, it was their first road win over NMSU since Nov. 30, 2010. Devon Barnes led the Miners with 18 points while Otis Frazier III scored 16 in support. 

This season, UTEP is 10-2 at home with its only two losses coming to New Mexico State and CUSA-leading Jacksonville State. Frazier III is the ninth-leading scorer in the conference, averaging 14.4 ppg. Corey Camper, Jr. can also be expected to contribute on the offensive end, scoring 11.1 ppg, 21st-best in the conference.

In the prior matchup this year, UTEP knocked down 10 three-pointers and shot 53.8 percent from the field overall, downing the Panthers by eight. Frazier III poured in 22 points while fellow guard Ahmad Bynum chipped in 18 points with four made three-pointers. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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