By Brett Shweky/Editor
With game one of FIU’s Bonus Play schedule in the books, the Panthers are slated to host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs for the second time this season on Sunday at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers (17-11, Conference USA) enter the contest riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Rice, North Texas and FAU.
FIU’s 79-76 victory over FAU on Saturday, Feb. 23 marked their first winning season since the 2012-2013 campaign. The Panthers secured a 18-14 record that season and advanced to the Sun Belt Championship game where they fell 65-63 to Western Kentucky.
Louisiana Tech (18-11, 8-8 C-USA) is fresh off a 90-79 loss against the Marshall Thundering Herd with them holding a 3-2 record in their last five contests.
During their last matchup on Saturday, Feb. 2, FIU surged past Louisiana Tech as Trejon Jacob poured on a season-high 24 points and Brian Beard Jr. added 16.
The all-time series between the two programs is tied at 6-6
Beard Jr. enters the game needing only one point to reach 1,000 career points. The achievement will make him the seventh player in program history to accomplish the feat.
The senior point guard is a cornerstone of the Panthers with him averaging 17.5 points with 6.2 assists and 3.1 steals which leads the conference in the category.
Freshman Antonio Daye Jr. has come on strong as the season hits its most important stretch as he recorded back-to-back 20 point outings.
Bulldog guard DaQuan Bracey leads the team in scoring (15.5 ppg), assists (4.4) and steals (1.3), while forward Anthony Duruji has paced Louisiana Tech in the paint as he places first in rebounds (6.2) and blocks (1.3).
Tipoff at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center is set for Noon.
Following their game against Louisiana Tech, FIU will travel to Huntington, W. Va. on Wednesday, March 6 to square off against the Marshall Thundering Herd. The Panthers’ final road game of the Bonus Play schedule is set for 7 p.m.
