FIU Suffers Second OT Heartbreaker To Liberty In Same Season

In one of their best performances of the season, FIU Men’s Basketball could not hold on to a lead late as the Liberty Flames forced overtime and ultimately denied what would have been a major CUSA upset for the Panthers by a score of 90-89.

This is the second time this season that FIU has lost to Liberty in overtime, giving the Flames, who remain undefeated in conference play, some of their toughest battles. Regardless, the Flames have clinched a share of the Conference USA Regular Season Title.

Things looked promising coming out of halftime, with the Panthers only down by a single point (41-40) on the road. Considering the opponent and their success against CUSA opponents, this wasn’t too shabby.

Yet Another Lead FIU Can’t Hold

Let’s get down to the wire. The Panthers led by five points with 40 seconds left in regulation, but Liberty didn’t back down. Ultimately, the Flames tied the game up with a chance to take the lead, but they missed a go-ahead shot with seconds to go. FIU had the ball last in regulation, but Corey Stephenson missed a three-point shot.

Once again, FIU managed to take the lead in overtime. Stephenson, despite the aforementioned miss, had a stellar game with 23 points and six rebounds. For Liberty, Zach Cleveland played his best basketball in overtime, helping give the Flames back the lead.

KADEN METHENY 🤯

📺 @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/41CnK2uz9V

— Liberty Men's Basketball (@LibertyMBB) February 20, 2026

Trailing by four points with only 19 seconds left, Brit Harris was fouled on a three-point attempt and successfully made all three ensuing free throw shots – the only ones he took all game. FIU was excellent from the line tonight, going 17 for 19.

Amazingly, after immediately getting fouled, Liberty missed both of its free throws. With seconds to go, Stephenson had another chance to win the game with a deep shot, but once again missed. The Panthers have been on the wrong end of multiple last-second game winners this season, but haven’t really been able to do the same.

Running Out Of Games To Play

This isn’t the first brutal loss on the road in which the Panthers had a lead late in a game. Still, despite the strong effort by FIU, it’s yet another conference loss. Their record is now 12-14, with a 5-10 record in CUSA. They’re now in a three-way tie with New Mexico State and Delaware at the bottom of the CUSA standings, currently out of a conference tournament spot.

They only have five games left to sneak into a spot in the tourney. Next up is a contest at home ahainst the Missouri State Bears on Saturday, February 21st at 3pm.

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