FIU Unable To Make Late Comeback, Drops Home Game To Howard

MIAMI, FL – After jotting down their first victory on Thursday against Florida National, the Panthers faced the Howard Bison tonight and couldn’t get the job done, falling by a score of 75-70.

Early Battle In The First Half

Howard and FIU kept the fans on the edge of their seats with impressive showings from Jayden Brewer and Ashton Williamson.

Brewer ended the first with eight points, while Williamson had the most impactful showing scoring five points with four assists and three rebounds.

However, the Bison’s Cameron Shockley-Okek had an unbelievable first with 21 points. FIU wrapped the first 3-16 on 3FG attempts both squads were tied at 35 each.

A Nail-Biter In The Second Half

It was an absolute roller coaster of a second. The Panthers came into the second half flat, rewarding Howard with many opportunities, with the Bison leading by 10 with 11:49 left.

FIU woke up from their early half struggles and began to contest the deficit. With the help of Jayden Brewer who scored seven points with two rebounds in the half.

The final minutes proved to be a tight contest as the game flipped back and forth with clutch turnovers from Jonathan Aybar. Jeremy Ballard’s squad was looking sharp, trailing by three to Howard with 1:29 left.

FIU Couldn’t Nail It Down

As the game winded down with 13 seconds left, FIU trailed 70-73.

With the ultimate chance to tie it with single digits left, Dashon Gittens could not nail down the hammer with the needed three-point shot as FIU wrapped up the game 5-29 on 3FT attempts.

Howard survived, and the Panthers could not capitalize on their homestand.

What’s Next For FIU

With the Panthers now 1-3 to begin the 2024-25 campaign, they are slated to head to Fort Meyers for an in-season tournament hosted by FGCU. Their first opponent is the Northeastern Huskies on Friday, November 22nd at 1pm.