Jax State defeats FIU 71-64

Jax State Takes Down FIU 71-64 in Conference Thriller

In a tightly contested conference matchup, the Jax State Tigers proved too much for the visiting Florida International University (FIU) Panthers at Pete Mathews Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a clear advantage. At halftime, Jax State held a slim 31-25 lead, but it would ultimately prove to be just enough as the Tigers outlasted their opponents in a 7-point victory.

FIU, which played on the road for the first time this season, struggled with its outside shooting, making just 27.0% of its three-point attempts (4/15). The Panthers' lack of three-point accuracy proved costly, as Jax State capitalized on the missed shots to build a lead.

On the other hand, the Tigers' sharpshooting was instrumental in their win. They made 8/19 from beyond the arc, accounting for 42.0% of their total points (32 out of 71). This was more than enough to offset FIU's dominance on the glass, where they outrebounded Jax State 21-33.

Advanced statistics told a similar story. The Tigers' true shooting percentage was an impressive 61.4%, while FIU's was just 55.8%. Additionally, Jax State held a significant edge in fast break points (6) and turned the ball over on just 24.6% of its possessions, compared to the Panthers' 18.5%.

Despite the loss, FIU showed signs of life, particularly from the free throw line where they made 84.0% of their attempts (16/19). This was a stark contrast to Jax State's 75.0% clip (15/20), which helped them secure the win.

Overall, the win marked a significant victory for the Tigers in conference play, and will likely have implications for their positioning within the standings.