FIU MBB Wakes Up In Second Half, Shows Out In Big Win Over Maine

MIAMI, FL – In a game where FIU coach Jeremy Ballard and his team needed a big win for a rebound following the Stetson disaster, it wouldn’t be easy as they took on the best defensive team in the American East Conference.

Although the Panthers headed into the half just down one, FIU struggled offensively at times, primarily at the beginning of the game, where they had streaks that they didn’t make a shot. That wouldn’t be the case in the second half as the Panthers did just enough to pull away with an 82-74 win.

FIU made a change in their starting five, as Petar Krivokapic was benched in place for guard Javaunte Hawkins, who led the way in the first half with ten points and finished the night with 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

For the Black Bears, their defense is what made the difference. In the first half of action, Maine had 12 steals but they weren’t able to capitalize off of them, with only 16 points off of turnovers on the night.

After coming out fairly flat in the first half, the offense was scorching hot in the second half thanks to sophomore guard Arturo Dean who struggled in the first half, being limited to four points and just one steal. Following halftime, Dean had three steals and eight points, putting his total at 14 points.

Although Dean stole the show in the opening minutes of the second half, it was a team effort for this Panthers team that needed a big win. George Pridgett Jr. saw 16 minutes of action and made the most out of them, shooting 3-7 from the three-point line and finishing the night with 12 points.

Along with Pridgett Jr. having a big night off the bench, Jayden Brewer had nine points and eight rebounds off the bench, continuing to be one of the first names called off the bench to get into game action.

After being shut in the first half, Jaidon Lipscomb continued his hot streak, this time finishing the night with 11 points and shooting 4-8 from the field and 3-6 from the three-point line.

Lipscomb is beginning to enter games earlier and earlier and providing shots from behind the arc. This is something that FIU relied on with Krivokapic, but he’s struggled this season from the three-point line, limited to a 23.7% three-point percentage.

The Panthers can take down the Maine Black Bears to a final score of 82-74, where Javaunte Hawkins led the way with 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, and shooting 7-14 from the field.

But Arturo Dean was one of the biggest reasons why the Panthers went on the run that they did so early on in the second half.

FIU will stay in Miami for their final game of 2023 as they host the Utah Tech Trailblazers on Saturday, December 30th at 5pm.