MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program takes on Sam Houston on Thursday, Feb. 6 in Conference USA (CUSA) action at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers (7-15, 1-8 CUSA) will host the Bearkats (8-14, 1-8 CUSA) on their Alumni Night at 7 p.m., of which will feature a special recognition of Black History Month coupled with welcoming back Panther alumni. The first 300 students in attendance will receive Black History Month t-shirts and a performance of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' will also occur pregame.
Thursday, Feb. 6 vs. Sam Houston
Time/Site: 7 p.m. ET | Ocean Bank Convocation
Series History: Sam Houston leads 5-2 (last def. FIU, 81-74 on Jan. 11, 2024)
TV: ESPN+
FIU returns home following two close defeats at Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State last weekend. Jayden Brewer scored 37 combined points in the two games to lead the Panther offense. Brewer continues his outstanding season in the scoring department, averaging 14.4 points per game.
Vianney Salatchoum continues to anchor FIU's defense and racked up five combined blocks in the Panthers' two games. The junior from Cameroon now has 41 blocks this season, an average of 2.1 blocks per game, second-most in CUSA.
FIU last met Sam Houston on Jan. 11 on the road and will be looking to avenge a seven-point loss. Brewer paced the offense with 20 points while Jonathan Aybar delivered a solid game with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Aybar currently has 930 career points, 70 points shy of 1,000 in his senior season.
SCOUTING THE BEARKATS
Sam Houston enters the contest on a five-game losing streak in conference play. The Bearkats fell to Louisiana Tech on Feb. 1 in Ruston, La in their only game last weekend, 66-61.
Lamar Wilkerson scored 17 points on 3-for-5 shooting from three. Cameron Huefner and Marcus Boykin each scored 12 points in support. Wilkerson is currently CUSA's second-leading scorer with 19.4 ppg and 75 made-threes on the season. He is shooting 44.4 percent from distance, 11th-best in the NCAA.
As a team, Sam Houston shoots 38.5 percent from deep, first in CUSA and 16th-nationally.
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.
