Tuesday, December 3, 2002

George Washington gives FIU its first defeat of the season, 77-63

IU can't overcome sluggish first half, losing 77-63, to George Washington at Golden Panther Arena. Eulis Baez recorded his third consecutive double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

photo by Geoff Anderson Junior Eulis Baez dunks for two of his 17 points in the 77-63 loss to George Washington. Baez also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double. FIU will play its next five games on the road, starting with the Pizza Hut Classic in Springfield, MO at 6:05 p.m. on Friday night. Listen to all the action live on WAXY 790 AM.

Slavtcho Slavtchev scored his season-high of 12 points, going four-for-seven from three-point range. Carlos Morban stole five passes for the fourth time this year.

George Washington (3-1) was able to take advantage of FIU's (4-1) offensive woes in the first half. The Golden Panthers shot 31-percent (8-for-26) from the floor and 33-percent (3-for-9) from the free throw line.

The Colonials used 48-percent (12-for-25) shooting in the half to build a 33-21 lead heading into the locker room. With FIU leading 12-10 at the nine minute mark, GW used a 11-0 run over the next four minutes to take a lead it would never look back from.

The second half was a stark contrast to the first, as both teams shot above 50-percent, including GW's 64-percent (14-for-22). FIU used seven lay-ups, including two dunks by Al Harris to stay close, but the Colonials had four dunks of their own to maintain their advantage.

Free throws hurt the Golden Panthers the entire game, ending 7-for-19 (37-percent).

"George Washington made plays when they needed too," said FIU head coach Donnie Marsh. "We tried to do too much in the paint and turned the ball over."

GW was led by Chris Monroe's 23 points and Mike Hall's nine rebounds.

FIU will play its next five games on the road, starting at the Pizza Hut Classic in Springfield, MO against Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Friday night at 6:05 p.m.