Congrats to the guys. Good solid win.
www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/373627.htmlFIU MEN 74, TROY 49
FIU rolls to easy win over Troy
Posted on Thu, Jan. 10, 2008
BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
The calls from the crowd at Pharmed Arena started softly, with chants of ''We want Mo'' with about six minutes left in Florida Inernational's game against Troy on Wednesday night.
With a little more than four minutes left, the demand from the fans got louder.
Finally, with 2:34 left in the game, FIU fans erupted and got their wish when Golden Panthers coach Sergio Rouco summoned Moses Hinton, a tight end on the football team, off the bench for his first college basketball game.
That was about the only suspense in FIU's 74-49 thrashing of Troy.
Because of an aggressive defense and a healthy height advantage, the Golden Panthers (5-9, 2-2 Sun Belt) went on an early 22-4 run that buried the Trojans (8-7, 1-3).
''Defense,'' said Rouco, when asked how FIU held a team that was averaging 84 points before Wednesday's game to a season-low 49. ``We stopped their transition game. It's a great win for our kids. We're playing extremely together and tough.
``The kids committed to defense.''
Trailing 5-4, the Golden Panthers drained three three-pointers and got some quick baskets in transition to orchestrate the decisive run.
Redd White hit two three-pointers and Chris Fuller drained one during the spurt. Agile big men Russell Hicks (center) and Nikola Gacesa (forward) scored on fast breaks.
''I think it was our height advantage that was the difference,'' said Hicks, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds. ``We were ready for their speed. Coach warned us about their full-court game, but all around, I think everybody played well.''
FIU guard Erick Nsangou had 17 points.
Even when Troy tried to attack FIU's weakness -- the full-court press -- the Golden Panthers, for the most part, responded despite 24 turnovers.
An 11-2 run midway through the second half gave the Golden Panthers their largest lead of the game, 57-28.
By then, all eyes started to shift to Hinton.
When Hinton finally entered the game, the Golden Panthers could have used FIU quarterbacks Paul McCall or Wayne Younger to get Hinton the ball.
The Golden Panthers were not able to pass the ball to Hinton.
The home crowd had to settle for Hinton pulling down one rebound in his collegiate debut.