FIU Men’s Basketball Blown Out In Boca By #15 Owls

BOCA RATON, FL – Last year when these two teams faced off at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, it came down to the final second for FAU to win.

But this time around, when the Panthers made the trip to Boca Raton against a nationally ranked Owls squad, they struggled and were demolished by a score of 94-60.

The first half of action for the Panthers went as bad as you could expect. The Owls took a commanding 43-20 lead where only five Panthers got on the board, but starters Seth Pinkney, Petar Krivokapic, and Jonathan Aybar went scoreless.

Just like at the start of the season, the Panthers struggled in the turnover department, with 10 turnovers in the first half alone and finishing the night with 17.

The Owls defense was also able to shut down sophomore guard Arturo Dean, limiting him to just four points in the first half of action and they didn’t allow him to make a single shot in the second half.

The Panthers’ first-half struggles would mark the first time since last season on December 31st against North Texas that they scored 20 points or less in the first half of play.

The second half for FIU wouldn’t be much better as the Owls got off to a hot start, taking a lead that wouldn’t be lost as they ended the night leading by over 30 points.

Despite the blowout, FIU went deep into their bench and junior guard Jaidon Lipscomb came into the game and finished with 17 points and went a perfect 5-5 from the three-point line.

Mohamed Sanogo did not play in the Panthers’ win against Long Island University but saw only one minute of action against FAU. The reason for his lack of minutes is still unknown.

The Panthers head back to The Bank to take on Trinity College on Saturday at 6pm. Alex Krutchik will be on-site to provide coverage.