MIAMI — FIU’s men’s basketball program continues its Conference USA (CUSA) opening homestand on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Western Kentucky to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers (6-8) host the Hilltoppers (10-4) on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
Saturday, Jan. 4 vs. Western Kentucky
Time/Site: 2 pm ET / Ocean Bank Convocation Center
TV: ESPN+
Series History: FIU trails 40-12
Last Meeting: FIU def. WKU, 85-83 (March 2, 2024)
FIU had its three-game home winning streak snapped on Thursday night in a back-and-forth matchup against Middle Tennessee. The Panthers led by seven with 6:25 to go, but a 15-4 run to close the game for the Blue Raiders gave MTSU the 73-69 victory in FIU’s CUSA opener.
Vianney Salatchoum delivered his best performance of the season with 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting, including his first made three-pointer of the season. Asim Jones finished with 15 points in support and has now scored in double-digits in five consecutive games. Dashon Gittens finished with 10 points and now has gone 5-for-10 combined from deep in his last three games.
FIU looks to bounce back after a CUSA-opening defeat at home against a strong WKU team, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season as CUSA Postseason Champions. The Panthers have won the last three home meetings against Western Kentucky, last falling at home to WKU on March 7, 2020.
SCOUTING WKU
The Hilltoppers started their 2025 CUSA campaign off strong with a 71-70 win over Liberty on the road on Thursday evening. Julius Thedford led WKU with 18 points in 32 minutes.
Don McHenry and Tyrone Marshall, Jr. chipped in 12 each. Khristian Lander had 10 points, going 3-for-4 from deep. In the game, Liberty led by 12 with 6:06 left, but a furious run from the Hilltoppers saw the score tied with 56 seconds to go. Thedford hit a clutch three with 32 seconds left and WKU held Liberty off from there, securing the one-point win.
WKU is 8-1 at home this season, but just 2-3 on the road, including the narrow victory in Lynchburg, Va. on Thursday night. The Hilltoppers’ four losses this season came to Wichita State and Grand Canyon in their first two games and to No. 8 Kentucky and Michigan.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUHoops), Twitter (@FIUHoops), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUMensBball) for all the latest Men’s Basketball news.
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
