By Brett Shweky/Editor
Despite a hot start and Devon Andrews scoring a career-high 26 points, the FIU Panthers couldn’t manage to pull off a key conference victory against the UTEP Miners on Saturday, Feb. 9 as they fell 85-75 in El Paso, TX.
The Panthers (14-11, 5-7 Conference USA) dropped their second consecutive game in the Lone Star State after falling to the Miners and the UTSA Roadrunners on their road trip.
FIU opened the contest scoring 10 of the first 12 points in the matchup and managed to take a 29-17 advantage with 5:25 remaining in the first half.
UTEP (8-15, 3-9 C-USA) equalized the score 29-29 with 2:47 left in the half and eventually gained the lead, 37-33, as the teams went into the locker room at the break.
Behind Nigel Hawkins’ 20 points, the Miners were able to keep the Panthers at bay as they went on to establish a double-digit lead. Evan Gilyard, Jordan Lathon and Paul Thomas each added 16 points for the Miners.
Andrews’ career night of 26 points marked his 19th double-figure outing of the season. The redshirt junior also recorded six rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Antonio Daye Jr. and Willy Nunez Jr. joined Andrews in double-digit scoring as they contributed with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
With two games before C-USA Bonus Play begins, the Panthers will return to Miami as they host the Rice Owls on Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
