MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program takes on Kennesaw State in Conference USA (CUSA) play on Thursday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. 

The Panthers (8-19, 2-12 CUSA) match up with the Owls (16-12, 8-7 CUSA) on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. 

Thursday, Feb. 27 vs. Kennesaw State

Time/Site: 7 p.m. ET | Ocean Bank Convocation

Series History: FIU leads 6-1 (0-1 CUSA Era)

Last Meeting: KSU def. FIU, 73-67 (Feb. 1, 2025)

TV: ESPN+

FIU will be looking for revenge after falling by six points in a tightly-contested matchup in the Atlanta-area on Feb. 1. The Panthers are currently in the midst of a four-game losing streak and will also be looking for momentum as they head into March and the upcoming CUSA Tournament.

Jayden Brewer continues to be FIU's top option, averaging 14.5 ppg, eighth-most in CUSA. Vianney Salatchoum has been a force for the Panthers defensively with his 2.0 blocks per game, of which is second-best in CUSA and 25th-best nationally. As a team, FIU prides itself on strong defense around the rim, blocking a CUSA-best 4.7 shots per game, of which is 33rd-nationally.

Jonathan Aybar has been a solid contributor for FIU on the offensive end, scoring 10.1 ppg this season, a career-best for the senior forward. Aybar is approaching 1,000 total points for his career (UNF/FIU), sitting at 977 points, 23 shy of the 1,000-point milestone. 

In the two sides' last meeting, Brewer exploded for 22 points, many of which came down the stretch as FIU mounted a furious comeback. The Panthers trailed by five at half and were down by 10 early in the second half, but pulled within three with 51 seconds remaining. KSU found a way to finish off the win with a timely basket and some free throws in the final minute. 

Brewer finished the game with 22 points, seven rebounds, two steals and one block in 29 minutes off the bench. Ashton Williamson, Asim Jones and Salatchoum each chipped in 10 points in support. 

SCOUTING THE OWLS

Kennesaw State, in its first year as a CUSA member, sit in fifth-place in the CUSA standings with four games remaining before the conference tournament. The Owls are just 3-7 on the road this season and 2-4 in road CUSA tilts.

KSU is led by Adrian Wooley and Simeon Cottle, who sit third and fourth in scoring in CUSA with 18.4 ppg and 17.9 ppg, respectively. Wooley was a major factor in the first meeting, scoring 18 points with three made threes. Braeden Lue also had a strong game for the Owls with 17 points, going 3-for-3 from deep. Cottle (10 points) and Ramone Seals (13 points) were also in double-digits in the game.

As a team, Kennesaw State rebounds at a high level with 41.2 rebounds per game, fifth-nationally and first in CUSA. The Owls also shoot the three-pointer at a high rate, averaging 28.2 threes attempted per game, first in CUSA and 26th-most in the nation.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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