By Brett Shweky/Editor
Behind Devon Andrew’s game-high 21 points, FIU defeated the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 83-76 in a Sunday Bonus Play showdown as the Panthers completed the regular season sweep against their Conference USA foe.
Andrews was instrumental for the Panthers (18-11, 9-7 C-USA) during the second half of the contest with him scoring nine points during a crucial 18-8 run.
“I told our guys this is a quality team that we were able to sweep. They won some big games this year. They’re well coached, and they’re very solid on both sides of the ball,” said FIU head coach Jeremy Ballard. “It took a lot of toughness and a lot of grit to win this game.”
For the second time this season at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, the Panthers beat the Bulldogs (18-12, 8-9 C-USA) following their opening 75-69 victory on Saturday, Feb. 2.
The Panthers are riding a four-game winning streak after beating their Sunday opponent and will have two C-USA Bonus Play games remaining before entering the league’s postseason tournament.
Louisiana Tech’s Amorie Archibald swished a three-pointer with 7:39 remaining in opening stanza to give the Bulldogs a temporary 26-22 advantage as the Panthers struggled to generate consistent offense.
Archibald scored 14 of the Bulldog’s first 26 points in the contest. The sophomore guard ended the outing with a team-high 20 points.
The Panthers orchestrated a 12-0 run with 3:45 left in the first half to take a 36-29 lead which led them to take a 38-34 advantage at halftime.
Osasumwen Osaghae paced the way for the Panthers in the half with six points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Beard Jr. scored his 1,000 career point in the first half as he became the seventh player in program history to achieve the feat.
“It’s a great accomplishment. You know coming into the game I only needed one point, and I wasn’t pressed to get. I just knew I was going to score at least one point today, but it feels to know I accomplished something here,” Beard Jr.
The senior point guard finished the game with 13 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
After falling down 66-61 in the final half of play, FIU put together a 18-8 stretch to regain the advantage, 79-74, with 2:26 remaining on the board.
Andrews and Antonio Daye Jr. closed out the outing by making four free throw shots.
FIU scored 40 points in the paint on the Bulldogs during the game and outrebounded them 43-37.
The Panthers’ defense also held steady throughout the game after they held Louisiana Tech to a dismal 39.4 shooting percentage.
Next, on the schedule for FIU, the Panthers will travel to Huntington, West Va. on Wednesday, March 6 to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd for their third Bonus Play matchup. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
