MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program notched a 76-61 win over Kennesaw State in Conference USA (CUSA) play on Thursday night inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. 

The Panthers (9-19, 3-10 CUSA) led the Owls (16-13, 8-8 CUSA) from the 13-minute mark onward, taking a 34-24 lead into the half. KSU cut it to five for a moment in the second half with 15:35 left, but FIU responded with a 7-0 to take control for the remainder of the game. 

Asim Jones and Dashon Gittens both scored 15 points each, doing their damage from the charity stripe. Jones and Gittens made a combined 17 free throws as the Panthers went 34-for-41 at the line. Ashton Williamson knocked down a season-high four threes, three in the first half, pouring in 13 points in 26 minutes.

Jayden Brewer was 7-for-10 from the free throw line and also scored 13 points, adding five rebounds. FIU forced 20 Kennesaw State turnovers and scored 18 points off of Owl miscues. The Panthers had 12 steals led by Jaden Grant's four. 

In the first half, FIU took its first sizable lead after two free throws from Jonathan Aybar, ahead 17-12 with 10:38 left. Williamson made his second three-pointer of the first half with 6:42 to go, up 24-15. Williamson hit his third three to cap a 5-0 run a short time later, ballooning the Panthers' lead to 29-15. 

Early in the second half, KSU cut the lead to five with 17:32 left. FIU answered with an 8-3 run, which ended with a Kole Williams corner three with 13:25 left. The Panthers kept KSU at a distance the rest of the way, finishing off a 15-point victory with 10 consecutive free throw makes. 

UP NEXT

FIU takes on Jacksonville State for its Senior Day on Saturday, March 1 at 2 p.m. at home. 

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