MIAMI — FIU's men's basketball program went down to the wire with visiting-Middle Tennessee on Thursday evening, falling 73-69 in its Conference USA (CUSA) opener at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Panthers led 35-32 at the half and held a seven-point lead with 6:25 to go after a George Pridgett Jr. made three-pointer. MTSU responded with a 15-4 run down the stretch to claim the four-point win.
Vianney Salatchoum showed his variety of skills, finishing with a season-high 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting, including his first three-pointer of the season. Asim Jones stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 34 minutes.