LYNCHBURG, Va. — FIU's men's basketball program was downed on the road in Conference USA (CUSA) play at Liberty on Saturday, 58-45. 

The Panthers (8-19, 2-12 CUSA) hung with the Flames (22-5, 10-4 CUSA) in the opening half, but a 11-0 Liberty run gave them a 30-19 lead at the break. FIU could not overcome this deficit in the second half, falling by 13. 

Jayden Brewer and Vianney Salatchoum each had 10 points. Brewer racked up a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of action, his second double-double of the season. Dashon Gittens and Jonathan Aybar each chipped in six points and had three steals a piece. Aybar's six points bring him to 977 for his career, 23 shy of 1,000. 

FIU out-rebounded the Flames 32-29, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds. The Panthers shot just 37 percent from the field and 1-for-12 from three. FIU had just five free throw attempts in the game, making four. 

Aybar gave the Panthers the early lead with a jumper to go up 5-4 with 16:01 to go. Liberty responded with three-straight threes to go ahead 14-6 at the 12:36 mark. The Panthers made a run capped by a Gittens three to tie it up with under nine minutes left, 17-17. 

Tied at 19-all, Liberty ripped off an 11-0 run to end the half. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, but the Flames continued to make timely triples in the second half to maintain a double-digit lead to the finish line.

UP NEXT

FIU returns home to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for its final home weekend of the season, taking on Kennesaw State (2/27) and Jacksonville State (3/1). 

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