MIAMI -- Hassan Hussein made a layup late in the game to give Florida International the lead for good in a 67-64 win over Rice on Saturday night.
The Golden Panthers (13-16, 7-9 Conference USA) trailed by one when Hussein got the dish from Brian Beard Jr. and scored with 36 seconds to play to put them on top 65-64. Eric Lockett hit two free throws after that for the final.
Rice led 28-25 at the break but FIU kept pace early in the second half and a 3-pointer by Josh Stamps had the Golden Panthers trailing 53-50 with 8:12 left.