FIU MBB Drops Third In A Row To MTSU, Falls To 2-4 In Conference Play

MIAMI, FL – Although the FIU Panthers and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders had 7-13 records, only one team was trying to stay alive in the conference slate of the season, and it was FIU.

Entering the game, the Panthers were 2-3 in conference play while the Blue Raiders were 1-4. FIU was looking to get back to .500 and win their first conference game on the road.

Despite a strong first half of action for the Panthers, taking a 34-33 lead into the half, the Blue Raiders just played a better brand of basketball in the second half of action and took a six-point lead they wouldn’t look back on. The final score was 79-61.

In the first half of action, the Panthers out-rebounded the Blue Raiders and had 14 points off of turnovers, but in the second half, the Panthers were out-rebounded, caused more turnovers, and were the better shooting team.

To make matters worse, in the second half, the Panthers’ leading scorer on the night, Arturo Dean had seven points, and only Dashon Gittens, along with Dean ended the night with double-digit points.

To close out the game, the Blue Raiders went on a 9-0 run and the Panthers went 2-14 from the field in the final 2:55 of the game.

FIU now falls to 2-4 in conference play and 8-14 on the season. The Panthers will now come back home and take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on February 1st at 7:00pm.