Stetson Hatters Edge Out Florida International Panthers at Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Men's Basketball Showdown
In a closely contested game at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, the Stetson Hatters emerged victorious over the Florida International Panthers with a final score of 80-68. The Panthers now stand with an overall season record of 0-1, while the Hatters improve to 1-0.
The home team, Florida International Panthers, fought valiantly but fell short against their opponents. Despite matching the Hatters' first-half output of 36 points each, they were outscored in the second half by 12 points. The Panthers showcased resilience on defense with five steals and three blocks throughout the game. Their offensive efforts were led by their ability to convert from beyond the arc, making nine three-pointers at a rate of 32 percent.
The Panthers also demonstrated efficiency in ball handling and distribution with an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.6; they dished out a total of 18 assists while committing only five turnovers. However, their shooting from both two-point range (35 percent) and field goal percentage (34 percent) lagged behind that of their adversaries.
On the other side, Stetson's offense was more effective overall; they shot nearly 46 percent from two-point range and maintained a solid field goal percentage at approximately 45 percent for the game. Their proficiency extended to free throws as well where they hit eight out of ten attempts.
Rebounding was another area where Stetson had an edge over FIU; hauling down a total of 49 rebounds compared to FIU's tally which stood at just under that number. This included pulling down nine offensive boards which contributed to six second-chance points for Stetson.
The next opportunity for redemption for Florida International will come when they host Maine Black Bears at Ocean Bank Convocation Center on December 22nd. Fans can catch this matchup live on ESPN+ as it unfolds in Miami under what promises to be an electric atmosphere within this storied venue.