FIU MBB Erases 12-Point Deficit As Hawkins Sets Franchise Record In Big Win

MIAMI, FL – FIU was staring down the barrel of their fifth straight loss on Saturday. They looked dead in the water as they went into halftime against the Sam Houston Bearkats down by 12.

But a 15-point second half from FIU guard Petar Krivokapic along with clutch plays from Jaidon Lipscomb and Javaunte Hawkins was the catalyst for a comeback 68-61 win.

Saturday’s win had shades of FIU’s most recent victory on January 13th where they came back from a 16-point deficit against the UTEP Miners.

“I feel that we’ve shown resiliency all year long,” FIU head coach Jeremy Ballard said. “Life is all about how you respond. So is basketball. And we responded. … but the guys just never gave into the fatigue, never gave into any excuses as to maybe why we shouldn’t win or couldn’t win. We just showed character and fight, and the guys showed that warrior mentality.”

After guard Javaunte Hawkins opened with three-pointers on the Panthers’ first two possessions, FIU (8-15, 3-5) went nearly five minutes without scoring, and missed 11 straight shots from the field. They ended the first half shooting 25 percent and went 4-for-19 from three.

Steadier shooting from the floor (48.1%) in the second half allowed FIU to close the gap after their 12-point deficit at halftime.

George Pridgett Jr. hit a layup with 12:50 in the second half to get FIU within two points, 46-44.

The Bearkats (13-10, 6-2) made a strong effort to thwart FIU’s comeback attempt, just barely holding onto the lead for a few more minutes before FIU guard Petar Krivokapic hit a three-pointer from the elbow with 8:30 to tie the game at 51-51.

The Miami Prep School grad came back about a minute later and helped FIU take the lead with another three.

“I trust my teammates, and like the coach was saying: shots weren’t falling,” Krivokapic said. “But he said it himself: we’re playing better. I felt like we were playing better. The energy was there. We were fighting. Dante (Wilcox) was a warrior today. We saw him fight. And when you see somebody fight, you can’t not not fight.”

Krivokapic ended the night with 18 points and sank five three-pointers, going 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the second half.

Wilcox had three blocks in the second half.

Notes:

Javaunte Hawkins became the all-time FIU leader in three-pointers made with 63 when he sank a shot with 36 seconds left in the game. The senior got two three-pointers along with 11 points on Sunday.

Arturo Dean and Dashon Gittens missed Saturday’s game with injuries. According to sources, Dean’s absence was a precautionary measure, while Gittens, who was wearing a boot on his right foot, is expected to miss “some time.” This was the first game either player has missed all season.

FIU will take a week off before taking on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at 2 pm on January 10th at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.