Florida International Panthers Fall to Sam Houston Bearkats in Quarterfinals
The Florida International Panthers entered the Conference USA Quarterfinal 1 with a challenging matchup against the Sam Houston Bearkats. The game concluded with the Panthers scoring 59, while the Bearkats took a commanding lead, finishing with 78 points.
The Panthers struggled to find their rhythm offensively at Huntsville's Von Braun Center, shooting only 34 percent from the field and making just 17 of their total 50 field goal attempts. Despite these challenges, they managed to convert on seven out of nineteen three-point attempts, ending with a three-point shooting percentage of 37. From the free-throw line, they fared better by hitting 18 out of their 27 shots for a free throw percentage of approximately 67.
Defensively, Florida International showed some resilience by accumulating six blocks and five steals during the game. However, this was not enough to stifle Sam Houston's offense which seemed more efficient throughout both halves. The Panthers also gathered a total of twenty-six rebounds but were significantly outrebounded by the Bearkats who secured forty-seven.
Key players for Florida International contributed in various ways but could not match up against an opposing team that boasted an assist-to-turnover ratio of approximately two compared to FIU's ratio which was less than one. Additionally, FIU committed sixteen personal fouls and turned over the ball eleven times which led to twelve points for Sam Houston off turnovers.
On offense for FIU, points in paint amounted to twenty while fast break opportunities resulted in eight points. Second chance points were limited as well; they only added five more points from such plays.
Sam Houston capitalized on its offensive possessions inside with forty-two points coming from within the paint and added eleven fast break points as well as twelve second chance points thanks largely due to their fourteen offensive rebounds.
As fans look forward toward future games after this quarterfinal loss at Von Braun Center in Huntsville where attendance numbered six thousand two hundred eighty-eight basketball enthusiasts – it is clear that improvements are needed if Florida International hopes to advance further next season. The next broadcast will feature analysis on how FIU can regroup after this defeat and what steps they might take moving forward into upcoming contests.