Friday, December 27, 2002

FIU dominates Radford, 81-45

IU snaps its six game losing skid with a dominating 81-45 win over Radford in the first round of the FIU/Hampton Inn New Year's Classic at Golden Panther Arena.

Al Harris was one of four Golden Panthers (5-6) in double-figure points with a season-high 17. Junior Matias and Fab Fisher each scored 11 and Rodrigo Viegas chipped in 10. Viegas also dished out a game-high seven assists, matching his career-high.

Eulis Baez, Carlos Morban and Carlos Fernandez each grabbed seven rebounds in the win.

The Golden Panthers held a 45-22 first half lead, shooting 50-percent (18-for-36) from the field, while holding Radford (2-8) to 35-percent (9-for-26).

FIU jumped out to a 25-11 lead in the first ten minutes of the half, including eight points by Viegas on two three-point baskets. The Golden Panthers wouldn't trail by less than 13 again in the game.

Matias scored 11 points in 10 minutes and sat out the second half to rest his groin injury. Viegas scored all of his 10 points in the half and added three steals.

The second half was much of the same as FIU went on a 20-9 run in the first ten minutes. Chrisian Hermida capped the scoring with his first three-pointer as a Golden Panther at the 1:24 mark.

The 81 points was a season-high for the team and its first time over 80 since scoring 82 against IUPU-Fort Wayne on November 26, 2001.

FIU will now play Duquesne, 67-57 winners over St. Francis (NY), in the championship game of the FIU/Hampton Inn New Year's Classic at 8:00 p.m. at Golden Panther Arena. Call (305) FIU-GAME for ticket information.