By Brett Shweky/Editor
In their first game of Conference USA Bonus Play, the FIU Panthers edged out the rivaled FAU Owls 79-76 behind Antonio Daye Jr.’s career-high 22 points on Saturday, Feb. 23 in Boca Raton.
The freshman guard made nine of his 14 shots while also going three for five from behind the three-point line. This marks the second straight game Daye Jr. has scored 20-points or more.
With the win, the Panthers (17-11, 8-7 C-USA) take the three-game season series against the Owls.
FIU previously beat FAU 78-74 on Wednesday, Jan. 23 in Boca Raton but dropped the second matchup 89-72 when hosting them on Saturday, Jan. 26.
The Panthers also secured their first winning season since the 2012-2013 campaign when the team finished 18-14 and reached the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game. FIU lost in the title game 65-63 against Western Kentucky.
During the opening half, the Panthers held the Owls to a dismal 25 percent from the field and went on to establish a 38-26 advantage heading into halftime.
FAU orchestrated a comeback as they took their first lead of the game, 45-44, with 11:47 left in the second half on an Anthony Adger three-point play.
Adger finished the game with 16 points while Xavian Stapleton ended with 16 points as well.
The Owls managed to swing the momentum from the Panthers for the time being and built their lead to as many as eight points, 63-55, with 6:04 remaining on the clock.
Brian Beard Jr. fueled FIU in the second half with him scoring 14 of his 20 points in the final stanza.
While on a 12-0 run to tie the game, Beard Jr. regained the lead for the Panthers, 67-63, as he converted a crucial four-point play with 3:27 remaining.
Beard Jr. clinched the victory for FIU by making six-of-six free throws in the final moments of the game.
The senior guard concluded the contest with 999 careers points and also contributed with six assists and six steals.
Next, up for FIU, the Panthers will host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in their second game of C-USA Bonus Play on Sunday, March 3 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Tipoff is set for Noon.
