By Brett Shweky/Editor
Behind two crucial defensive stops and a pair of free throws from Antonio Daye Jr., the FIU Panthers managed to hold off the FAU Owls to secure a 78-74 road victory on Wednesday in Boca Raton.
The Owls overcame a 12-point deficit to bring the contest to 76-74 after Michael Forrest converted a three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining.
With 14 seconds left, FIU’s Brian Beard Jr. missed two potential game-sealing free throws on the other end to give FAU an opportunity to tie.
FIU’s defense held strong in the final moments as the forced Xavian Stapleton to miss a layup with four seconds left and Simeon Lepichev from making a put-back score. Daye Jr. iced the matchup by making both attempts from the charity stripe.
“Rivalry games are always going to be intense and full of ups and downs. Especially for us when it’s a rivalry game on the road,” said Panthers’ head coach Jeremy Ballard. “You have to play through the peaks and valleys.”
Devon Andrews scored a team-high 19 points for the Panthers (13-7, 4-3 Conference USA) while Trejon Jacob added 15.
Beard Jr. finished with 14 points and also recorded nine assists which fell one shy of tying his career high. The senior point guard (309) sits second on the program’s all-time career assist list behind Carlos Arroyo (459, 1997-01).
FAU’s Anthony Adger led the Owls (11-9, 2-5 C-USA) with 21 points and Richardson Maitre chipped in with 15.
Next up, the Panthers will return to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Jan. 26 to take on FAU once again as they begin a three-game homestand. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
