TAKEAWAYS – FIU Blitzes Reigning CUSA Champions WKU

MIAMI, FL – After dropping a frustrating game to MTSU, FIU hosted the defending Conference USA champions, Western Kentucky. The Panthers’ dominant first half was more than enough to blow them out by a final score of 85-66.

Panthers Dominate From Beyond The Arc

Going into Saturday’s game, FIU was the worst three-point shooting team in the conference. The Panthers went 50% from beyond the arc, led by Dashon Gittens who went 3-6, and Jonathan Aybar who went 2-3.

“I’m more proud of the discipline that we’ve taken in our three-point shooting,” said head coach Jeremy Ballard. “We have guys that are capable of making shots. We just have to make sure we’re taking the right ones. These guys have embraced taking the right three-point shots. It speaks to our guys delivering the ball, making the right reads that we’re getting these open shots and then we’re converting on them.”

Jonathan Aybar With A Bounce Back Night

Panthers forward Jonathan Aybar only scored three points in the loss to Middle Tennessee. On Saturday, Aybar dropped 12 points, and five rebounds, shot 3-6 from the field and 2-3 from beyond the arc.

He fouled out midway through the second half, but certainly provided a spark on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, Aybar had one block and three steals.

“It’s a testament to John, but also a testament to his teammates,” said Ballard. “They talked to him, that they believed in him, that they picked him back and our point guards getting him touches today, these guys did a great job early of giving John touches, giving Vianney touches to get their confidence going.”

Asim Jones With A Season-High

For a sixth straight game, Panthers guard Asim Jones scored double-digit points. Jones dropped a season-high 17 points, three rebounds, and assists. On the defensive side, he had three steals.

What’s Next?

With the win, FIU improves to 7-8 and 1-1 in conference play. The Panthers will hit the road to take on Louisiana Tech on Thursday, January 9t,h and then Sam Houston State on Saturday, January 11th.