KENNESAW– Leading by 11 with seven minutes left and with less than two minutes in the game, FIU men's basketball (9-8, 2-4 CUSA) let it slip as Kennesaw State (11-6, 3-3) stormed back to win 89-86.
Back in his home haunts, Zawdie Jackson had a strong start, scoring seven of the first 12 points for the Panthers in a 12-0 run. The Owls bit back into the lead, but an Ibrahim Olajuwon floater made it 18-16 at the U-12.
The lead changed hands several times over the next five minutes, but an Ashton Williamson response three at 6:14 gave the Panthers their first of a few leads down the stretch of the first. Julian Mackey and Brit Harris both hit from deep to keep the lead at three by the U-4.
Mackey fought for a tough layup and Harris added another three from the corner, putting the Panthers up 51-47 at halftime.
The threes kept falling at the beginning of the half - another by Williamson making it an eight-point lead less than two minutes in. FIU stretched the lead to ten at the U-16, with Jackson up to 13 points.
Mackey continued his strong play, getting the advantage to 71-59 with 11:32 left, and staying at 12 after Eric Dibami completed the double-double at 7:52.
An untimely stretch of no field goals late saw the Owls pull back in it. FIU led by six with three minutes left, but couldn't close the deal, seeing KSU take the lead with less than a minute left. The Panthers didn't make any field goals in response, losing 89-86 on the road.
Jackson had an outstanding effort just outside his hometown of Stone Mountain, scoring a season-high 25 points. Dibami (15 points, 12 rebounds) completed another double-double, tying his career-best in boards.
Mackey (14) and Harris (12) joined the other two with double-digit points as the team was without leading scorer Corey Stephenson due to illness.
The Panthers fall to 0-6 on the road this season.
UP NEXT
FIU ends its road trip and battles Sam Houston State at home on Saturday.
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