MIAMI – FIU men's basketball (8-5, 1-1 CUSA) heads into the final game of its homestand on a high note, hosting UTEP (4-9, 0-2) for the final time in Miami before the Miners move to the Mountain West. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Inbound
The Panthers earned an impressive near wire-to-wire win over New Mexico State on Friday, out-rebounding the Aggies 38-26 and scoring 21 points off turnovers. It was the first win for the team in the series since 2023-24, and just the second overall in ten meetings.

UTEP has lost its first two games of conference play by 10 or more points headed into the game, dropping its previous contest at Missouri State 79-55 on Friday.

Series History
During the Jeremy Ballard era and overall, UTEP has owned the series, holding a 19-3 record all-time over the Panthers and 2-9 since Ballard took over.

UTEP has won three in a row in the series and both matchups last season, 81-73 in Miami on Jan. 18 and 77-63 in El Paso on Feb. 15.

FIU's last win was on Jan. 13, 2024, a close 72-68 victory at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Javaunte Hawkins had 20 points and Dashon Gittens contributed 19 as FIU rallied from a 16-point second-half deficit to stun the Miners.

Notable Storylines
- The Panthers and Miners have a few connections across rosters. Mikey Kelvin II and UTEP's CJ Smith were on the roster together last season at Oklahoma State. Corey Stephenson & UTEP's Kaseem Watson played together at CSU Bakersfield in 2023-24.
- Eric Dibami has found his rhythm as a college basketball player, averaging 15.2 ppg and 9.5 rpg over the last four, with double digits in every game and a pair of double-doubles. He was named CUSA Freshman of the Week for Week 8.
- Stephenson is making a case for CUSA Player of the Year, recording his fourth 20-point performance of the season to open conference play. He had 21 points and seven rebounds, now shooting over 48 percent from three.
- Hamed Olayinka has scored in double digits in three straight after 14 points against NM State. He tied his season-high with a pair of assists in the win, playing a season-high 29 minutes as well.
- Ashton Williamson had an excellent game on both sides of the ball against the Aggies, scoring 14 points, making six field goals and dishing three assists and two steals.
- The Panthers are first in Conference USA in assists per game, blocks per game, turnovers forced per game and steals per game. In addition, they are third in scoring offense.
- Jeremy Ballard is three wins from breaking the program record set by Rich Walker.

UP NEXT

FIU has its first road game outside the city of Miami since November 13, traveling to take on Jacksonville State on Wednesday.

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

SOCIAL MEDIA
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