MIAMI – On Wednesday, FIU men's basketball (10-10, 3-6 CUSA) returns home for one game against Jacksonville State (10-9, 5-3). It will be the Panthers' second VICE night of the season, and all fans are encouraged to wear white to the game.

The Inbound
The Panthers emphatically snapped a five-game losing streak at New Mexico State on Saturday, hanging on to win 81-78 thanks to Corey Stephenson dominating the stretch of the game, scoring the final ten points of the game. It was FIU's first road conference win since Mar. 4, 2023, earning the season sweep of the Aggies.

Jax State knocked off both Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee at home last weekend, and took down FIU to start their five-game losing streak on Jan. 7.

Series History
Jacksonville State has never lost during the regular season to the Panthers since joining Conference USA, going 5-1 in the teams' six meetings. FIU is 5-7 overall against Jacksonville State, who was briefly a TAAC foe of the Panthers in the 90s.

The Gamecocks beat the Panthers 71-64 at Pete Matthews Coliseum on Jan. 7 despite a 14-0 run to start the game for FIU.

Jax State won all three meetings last year: 71-67 in Jacksonville on Jan. 30, 84-79 in double overtime in Miami on Mar. 1, and 65-56 in the second round of the conference tournament.

FIU's last win was in the opening round of the 2023-24 conference tournament, winning 76-67 in Huntsville. Arturo Dean had 21 points and six assists as FIU came back from a four-point halftime deficit. Their last win in Miami came on Dec. 4, 2020, a 74-70 win aided by 28 points from Antonio Daye Jr.

Notable Storylines
- FIU's other VICE jersey night this season was against FGCU, a thrilling 89-83 win where six players had ten or more points.
- Stephenson willed the Panthers to the win against the Aggies, recording his second road double-double of the season with 25 points and 12 rebounds. He joins J.C. Otero in 2010 as Panthers to record that stat line in a road game. Stephenson also scored the final ten points of the game, including a clutch three-pointer to tie it at 78 and three free throws at the end to ice it.
- Julian Mackey has been in a groove, and continued against the Aggies. He had 12 points off the bench and is now less than 100 points from 1,000 in his career.
- Zawdie Jackson and Ashton Williamson had strong efforts and aided in the Panthers win, both scoring 10. Jackson went 2-0 against his old team this season.
- Thiago Sucatzky has proved a valuable asset off the bench for the Panthers. He has three or more assists in the last two games, including four in the win at New Mexico State.
- Ballard is now tied with Rich Walker for the most wins in school history at 108, and one more would make him stand alone at the top.

UP NEXT

FIU is off for the weekend, returning on Wednesday next week to take on Middle Tennessee on the road.

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.