LYNCHBURG, Va. – FIU men's basketball (12-13, 5-9 CUSA) has a nationally-televised date with league-leader Liberty (22-23, 14-0) on Thursday, completing the season series against the Flames. Tip-off is at 6:00 p.m. in Lynchburg and will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

The Inbound

FIU played one of its most complete games of the season in a 77-64 rout of Louisiana Tech, holding the Bulldogs to an opponent-low 24 rebounds. Hamed Olayinka had a career night, completing the double-double with 11 points and a career-best 17 boards while swatting five blocks. The Panthers trailed midway through the second half before going on a run and never looking back.

Liberty has won 16 in a row and is 14-0 in CUSA play, including 12-0 overall at home. They took the western tour last week and unseated New Mexico State at the buzzer, htne beating UTEP in El Paso by nine.

Series History
FIU is 2-5 all-time against Liberty and 0-3 in Lynchburg. The two teams battled in an instant classic to start conference play with the Flames winning in overtime 97-94 in a career-best 21-point effort from Eric Dibami. 

The Panthers' last win in the series was a 76-71 win in Miami on Feb. 22, 2024. FIU has also lost both meetings in Lynchburg since Liberty joined CUSA.

Notable Storylines
- Dibami earned his second consecutive CUSA Freshman of the Week honor, averaging 13.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg and shooting just under 58 percent from the field. It's his third such honor this season, winning previously in Week 8 and 14.
- Dibami's six double-doubles in his rookie season move him into a tie with FIU Hall of Famer Dwight Stewart for third-most in a season by a freshman.
- Olayinka's stat line of 11 points, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks & 3 assists was the first such performance in FIU history. Osasumwen Osaghae had 19, 18 and 7 with no assists on 11/26/19, and Eulis Baez had a similar line of 28, 15, 5 and 5 on 11/26/02.
- His five blocks were also the most by a Panther in a game since Seth Pinkney had six on 3/9/24.
- Zawdie Jackson has gone to work over the last four games, averaging 16.0 ppg and 3.0 ast/g. He had 20 against the Bulldogs, going a perfect 2-2 from the field.
- Corey Stephenson, the squad's leading scorer, scored 16 in a bounce-back effort against LA Tech after being held under 10 points for the first time all season. He is nine points away from 1,000 in his career.
- Ashton Williamson had 11 points in the last game, now scoring 11 in consecutive contests. He is shooting .571 (8-14) from three over the last three games.

UP NEXT

FIU comes home to battle Missouri State, who travels to Miami for the first time.

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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