BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – FIU men's basketball (11-11, 4-7 CUSA) aims to sweep its latest road trip, heading to its most common opponent in Western Kentucky (12-11, 5-7) on Saturday afternoon, meeting for the 56th time in history.

The Inbound

FIU earned its first win in Murfreesboro since 2021 on Wednesday, taking down Middle Tennessee 88-84 in overtime. It was Jeremy Ballard's 109th career win, the most in FIU men's basketball history, and Corey Stephenson led the way with 34 points, second-most by any FIU player in a road game.

WKU lost its last game at home to Jax State, but enters at 12-11. However, the Hilltoppers have lost three straight at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Series History
FIU and WKU's rivalry extends back to the early Sun Belt days, having played every year since the 1998-99 season. However, WKU has dominated the all-time series, going 41-14 in 55 meetings.

These two teams split the regular season series last season, but it was FIU who got the last laugh, unseating the Hilltoppers in the opening round of the Conference USA tournament on Mar. 11. Both Asim Jones and Jayden Brewer scored 17 points as the Panthers knocked off WKU 64-61.

FIU has not won in Bowling Green in six straight tries, and not since Ballard's first season. It was a 77-76 win for FIU that saw five Panthers record 10 or more points, including a double-double from Osasumwen Osaghae on Jan. 17, 2019. Brian Beard Jr. hit the game-winning layup with nine seconds left as FIU rallied back from a 16-point deficit.

Notable Storylines
- Not only was Corey Stephenson's effort of 34 at Middle Tennessee a career-high and the sixth-most points in a game in FIU history, but it was tied for the second most in a road game in program history as well, just behind Carlos Arroyo's record-setting 39 at North Texas on 12/30/00.
- Stephenson's 13 field goals he made were also second-most in a game at FIU, and he was the first Panther to score 30 in a game since 2023. The last 34-point effort was by Elmo Stephen in 2017, and both Dwight Stewart (2/3/93 at UCF) and Ruben Colon (2/22/90 at U.S. International) also had 34 on the road. He's the first Panther with three-straight 20+ point efforts since Javaunte Hawkins did it in 2023-24.
- Zawdie Jackson scored 13 points and went a crucial 9-10 from the line in the overtime win at MTSU, another double-digit effort for the senior.
- Eric Dibami recorded his fifth-career double-double in Murfreesboro, placing him fourth among freshmen in a season in school history.
- Brit Harris hit a crucial two free throws with no time left to send the game to overtime, also scoring nine.
- Ibrahim Olajuwon grabbed a career-high eight rebounds, scoring seven.
- Ballard now stands alone with 109 career wins as head coach of the Panthers.

UP NEXT

FIU hosts Delaware for the first time as conference foes next 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.