MIAMI – Sophomore and senior each connected on clutch three pointers over the final 56 seconds of regulation to hold off a late surge by Western Kentucky and lift the FIU men's basketball team to an 86-83 victory on Saturday night before the largest crowd of the season at Ocean Bank Arena.
The Panthers did not trail in the contest until there was just 2:05 left in regulation when a three pointer by Western Kentucky's Jarius Hamilton put the Hilltoppers ahead for the first time at 79-78.
A pair of free throws by Lovett put FIU back in front 80-79, before a layup from WKU's Dayvion McKnight flipped the score back to a one-point advantage for the Hilltoppers with 1:16 left.