By Brett Shweky/Editor
Despite Osasumwen Osaghae’s career-high 19 points, the FIU Panthers had their four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday at the Cam Henderson Center as they fell 94-78 against the Marshall Thundering Herd in their regular season road finale.
A second half surge by Marshall ended up being the difference maker in the contest with the Thundering Herd having outscored the Panthers 47-32 in the stanza.
With the loss, FIU (18-13, 9-8 Conference USA) dropped their first C-USA Bonus Play game after earning victories over FAU and Louisiana Tech to start the stretch.
For Marshall (17-13, 10-7 C-USA), the Thundering Herd completed their sweep on the Panthers in the regular season series and also extended their winning streak to four games.
FIU established a 12-point lead with 4:21 remaining before halftime after Devon Andrews scored on a driving layup.
The Panthers’ lead was short-lived, however, as Marshall finished the opening half on a 17-4 stretch to take a one-point advantage, 47-46, into the locker rooms.
With less than 12 minutes left in the matchup, the Thundering Herd increased their lead to double-digits and managed to hold the Panthers at bay for the remainder of the game.
C.J. Burks scored a team-high 21 points for Marshall while Taevion Kinsey and Jon Elmore each added 18.
Along with Osaghae’s 19 points, the six-foot-seven junior also hauled a team-high 11 rebounds which enabled him to record his sixth career double-double.
Brian Beard Jr. contributed with 12 points for the Panthers as well as collected six assists and one steal.
Beard Jr.’s lone steal in the contest helped him surpass his single-season mark for steals. The senior point guard has 91 steals so far this season, while his previous mark was set at 90.
FIU will close out their regular season on Saturday at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center as they host the North Texas Mean Green. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
