Miami, FL – FIU, and FAU have had a fierce rivalry on both the football field and the basketball court. FAU has dominated the football rivalry as they have won the last four matchups. However, FIU owns the basketball matchup as they won the last three matchups against the owls. However, despite a 16-point performance from Rashard Davis, FIU fell short to the Owls 81-79.
A South Florida Rivalry
The last matchup between these two rivals saw the emergence of FIU’s leader, Antonio Daye Jr. Antonio was the game’s leading scorer, scoring 20 points last time these two opponents faced off. He is currently leading the Panthers in scoring this season, averaging 18 points per game. The Panthers hoped to continue their success against the FAU Owls by improving their win streak to four games.
Game Breakdown
Tonight, FIU came out the gate looking rough. FIU shot three of 18 from the field to start the game. FAU took advantage of FIU’s shooting struggles jumping out to a quick 21-12 lead. FIU started to pick it up after the rocky start finishing the first half with the lead 31-29. Forward Rashard Davis was the X-factor for FIU in their first-half comeback as he went five of six from the field, and one of two from three, scoring 11 points in the first.
HALFTIME | FIU heads to the locker room with the lead.#PawsUp🐾 | #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/O4F3fs1lm4
— FIU Men's Basketball (@FIUHoops) January 15, 2021
In the second half, both teams came out shooting lights out. Both teams shot above 50 percent from the field in the second half. The rebounding was the downfall for the Panthers tonight, as FAU outrebounded FIU 46 to 23. Even with the terrible rebounding, FIU remained close. With five seconds left, they were down by only one point. The Owls were just too much to handle at the end of the day as the final score was 81-79 in the Owl’s favor. One bright spot for the Panthers tonight was their three-point shooting. The Panthers shot nine for 15 from the three-point line tonight. The great three-point shooting was lead by sophomore guard Javaunte Hawkins, who shot 4 for 4 from three.
FINAL | Rematch on Saturday.#PawsUp🐾 | #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/DkxLeRo1GC
— FIU Men's Basketball (@FIUHoops) January 15, 2021
The next matchup for the Panthers on Saturday with a rematch against the FAU Owls at Boca Raton.
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