BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — FIU men's basketball's Vianney Salatchoum matched a season-high with 21 points in a 76-67 loss at Western Kentucky on Thursday night in Conference USA (CUSA) action.

The Panthers (9-21, 3-14 CUSA) closed the first half on a 12-2 run capped by a Jaden Grant three with six seconds to go, cutting the Hilltopper lead (17-13, 8-9 CUSA) to one at the half, 39-38. In the second half, FIU took a five point lead at 45-40 with 17:02 left as Salatchoum scored four quick points to open the half. 

WKU made its big run at this point, using a 15-4 spurt to take a six point lead. Asim Jones scored a quick bucket with a short-sided baseline layup, but the Hilltoppers stretched their lead to 12 with a three, taking a double-digit lead into the final five minutes. 

Salatchoum knocked in his second three of the game from the top of the key to get within eight, but WKU finished off a nine-point win with four made free throws down the stretch. The junior center delivered a versatile game in the scoring area, pouring in 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 2-for-2 from three, and six rebounds. He also made all five of his free throws in 34 minutes of action. The Yaunde, Cameroon-native made several highlight reel shots in the post on his way to matching a career-high, of which he set against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 2. 

Grant knocked in three triples in the first half and finished with nine points and five rebounds. Jayden Brewer was efficient with 14 points on seven shot attempts, chipping in a team-high seven rebounds. Dashon Gittens had a solid night with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal.

FIU made six threes in the first half, but managed just one in the final 20 minutes. The Panthers were dominant on the boards with 40 rebounds and limited WKU to just 27 rebounds. FIU had a season-high 13 offensive rebounds. The Panthers had 16 turnovers and forced seven WKU turnovers.

UP NEXT

The Panthers take on Middle Tennessee on the road on Saturday, March 8 at 3 p.m. ET in their final regular season game of the season. 

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