Congrats to the guy on win one.
Here's the game story from the Herald:
www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/305633.htmlFIU 80, FLORIDA TECH 66
Hicks paces FIU men to win in opener
Seven-foot transfer center Russell Hicks led the way with 16 points as the Golden Panthers' balanced effort overwhelmed the Panthers.
Posted on Mon, Nov. 12, 2007
BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
Excuse Florida International if it took a little while Monday night to get used to playing with a big presence in the paint.
Not since Jose Bonilla roamed near the basket more than 10 years ago, has FIU had a 7-foot center.
Russell Hicks, FIU's newest 7-footer, made his debut against Florida Tech in an 80-66 FIU season-opening win at Pharmed Arena on Monday.
For nearly the first 20 minutes, Hicks was a nonfactor as the Golden Panthers struggled to mesh with their center.
But near the end of the first half, FIU went on a 13-5 run and in the second half, Hicks scored 10 of his 16 points to close out Florida Tech.
''I'm glad we had those two exhibition games,'' said Hicks, who sat out last season after transferring from Pepperdine. ``It definitely helped my confidence just to get back into the groove, because I hadn't been playing for the longest time. . . . This is definitely a team game. You can't be selfish in this game. You just have to kick it to the open man. We did a good job of that tonight.''
FIU spread the scoring as the Golden Panthers had 20 assists -- the most since November 2005 against Central Connecticut State.
Forward Alex Galindo and guard Erick Nsangou each added 15 points for FIU.
The Golden Panthers got off to a slow start, letting Division II Florida Tech stay within 10 points for the majority of the first half.
''My two seniors played their tails off,'' said FIU coach Sergio Rouco, of guard Michael James and forward Chris Fuller.
'I thought other guys played for a different purpose. You got to play basketball games to win a basketball game. Your points, your game, your accomplishments will come later. . . . Some of them thought, `This is a game that I can shine, because it's Florida Tech' instead of thinking, 'You know what we need to get better as a team and execute what we need to do.' ''
Nsangou woke up the Golden Panthers with 12 first-half points to ignite the run to close the first half and put FIU ahead 42-30 at the break.
In the final 20 minutes, Hicks delivered in the post offensively and defensively with seven rebounds and a couple of blocks.
''Nsangou is unbelievable for us,'' Rouco said. ``He should be starting in front of a few guys, but what he brings off the bench is unbelievable and we can't change that. . . . If our guys can appreciate what [Hicks] brings to our game, then I think we can be a better basketball team. We take it for granted that we have the biggest guy in our league, that he can score inside. The purpose of the game is to win the game and to use your best weapons.''
