MIAMI, FL – In a hard-fought defensive matchup, FIU’s men’s basketball team fell to New Mexico State 59-52 in Conference USA (CUSA) action. The Panthers, with a record of 7-11 overall and 1-4 in CUSA, battled back-and-forth with the Aggies, who stand at 11-6 overall and 4-0 in CUSA. Despite a late lead taken by FIU, New Mexico State went on a 13-4 run to secure a seven-point victory.
Vianney Salatchoum recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Jayden Brewer added 13 points with some impressive plays. Asim Jones contributed 11 points for the Panthers in the tough loss. FIU had 32 points in the paint and out-rebounded the Aggies 39-34, but struggled from deep shooting just 2-for-13 from three-point range.
Both teams had difficulty scoring in the first half, with New Mexico State taking a slim lead at halftime. FIU made a strong push to tie the game in the second half, but ultimately fell short in the closing minutes.
Next up for FIU is a game against UTEP on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to follow the team on social media for all the latest updates and news. Stay tuned for more exciting basketball action from the Panthers as they continue their season in CUSA.
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