FIU MBB Fall To Liberty Following Two-Game Hot Streak

As the Panthers looked to take their two wins to Lynchburg, Virginia, a lot of the usual issues when it came to rebounding and giving up too many shots took place and FIU just wasn’t able to keep pace with the Liberty Flames.

Javaunte Hawkins With Another Big Night

Entering the Panthers matchup against the Flames, Javaunte Hawkins was amongst the top ten in points per game in Conference USA and in just the first half of action, Hawkins kept it up with 13 points and going 3-7 from the three-point line.

Hawkins went on to end the night with 24 points, three rebounds, and two assists and made six three-pointers. He led the team in scoring and three-pointers.

Hawkins 24 24-point night marks the third time this season that the Panthers’ senior guard has back-to-back 20-point games.

Rebounding Still An Issue For FIU

The Panthers are ranked the worst rebounding team in Conference USA and on Thursday, nothing changed as they were outrebounded 37-30.

Despite keeping it close in the second half when it came to rebounds, as the Flames had 19 rebounds against the Panthers 17, Liberty ended the night winning the rebounds battle, 37-30.

The Flames stood out with their 14 offensive rebounds, which led to 16 second-chance points. Those second-chance points hurt the Panthers big time as at times, the Flames were able to take a lead and eventually run away with it.

Flames Hot From Behind The Arc

One of the better three-point shooting teams in the conference is the Flames, who kept attacking from behind the arc.

On the night, Liberty went 16-33 from the three-point line, but Kaden Metheny led the way, not only taking the most three-pointers but making the most three-pointers, finishing the night going 6-10 from the three-point line.

This shouldn’t come to anyone as a surprise as the Panthers were at the top of the conference in giving up the most amount of three-pointers.

The Panthers going with the press defense gives opposing teams a lot of open looks from behind the arc and that was the case once again.

Liberty With Four Players In Double Digits

In a 78-69 win, four players for the Liberty Flames finished up in double-digit scoring. Leading the way for the Flames, Kyle Rode with 19 points and shooting 6-12 from the field.

Along with Rode, Metheny had 18 points, Zach Cleveland with 11 and Brody Peebles with 12 points on the night.

Final From Lynchburg

Despite trailing by as low as five, the Panthers were unable to keep up with the Flames and ended up losing to a final score of 78-69. With the loss, FIU falls to an overall 7-12 record and a 2-2 conference record.

The Panthers’ next game will be in exactly one week as they head over to Bowling Green to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The game will begin at 8:00 pm EST and can be streamed on ESPN+.