MIAMI – FIU men's basketball (9-8, 2-4 CUSA) has a home respite on Saturday, aiming to snap a three-game losing skid against Sam Houston State (10-7, 2-4). Tip-off is at 2:00 p.m. at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Inbound
The Panthers suffered a heartbreaking loss at Kennesaw State without leading scorer Corey Stephenson, letting an 11-point lead with seven minutes away slip. Despite the loss, Zawdie Jackson had a D1-high 25 points and Eric Dibami had his fourth career double-double.

Sam Houston State split two meetings last week with Liberty and Jacksonville State.

Series History
FIU is 3-5 all-time against the Bearkats, but just 2-3 since they joined Conference USA. The two squads split last years' meetings.

FIU knocked off the Bearkats on 2/6/25 85-82, as Jayden Brewer had 25 points and Jonathan Aybar added 19 in a second-half comeback. SHSU took the Huntsville half by seven on Jan. 11.

The Bearkats' last win in Miami came on Dec. 18, 2010, fending off 21 points from former Panther DeJuan Wright and coming back down three at halftime.

Notable Storylines
- Jackson had a sensational effort in the loss at Kennesaw State, scoring a D1-high 25 points and going 9-10 from the line. 
- Eric Dibami had 15 points and a career-best 12 rebounds against the Owls. His fourth career double-double ties him with Jerome Frink (2011-12) for fourth-most in a season by an FIU freshman, and is two behind Dwight Stewart (1988-89).
- Julian Mackey drew the start in the last game, scoring 14 and hitting a pair of threes. He has put together two solid games in a row.
- Brit Harris had a strong game, knocking down four threes and scoring 12 points in Georgia.
- Corey Stephenson, Kennedy Brown and Amarion Nimmers missed the last game due to illness.
- Ballard is two wins from breaking the program record of 108 set by Rich Walker.

UP NEXT

FIU heads out west for the UTEP/New Mexico State portion of the schedule beginning on Thursday.

TICKETS
For more information on FIU men's basketball tickets, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.

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.