The University of North Dakota men’s basketball team will conclude its stay in Florida on Wednesday, battling Florida International in Miami in a 10 a.m. (CT) tilt. Fans can listen to Paul Ralston‘s call on AM 740 The Fan, 107.3 FM and worldwide at this link: http://player.listenlive.co/28991.
Series History vs. FIU
The North Dakota and Florida International men’s basketball programs have never met in their histories. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Fighting Hawks and Golden Panthers.
Last Time Out
North Dakota fell in a 77-72 decision to UT-Martin in the final game of the Paradise Classic on Sunday afternoon. Three-point shooting played a key factor in the result, with UND going 4-for-26 for 15.4 percent from downtown, while UTM hit nine of 15 attempts from beyond the arc for 60.0 percent three-point shooting. The shooting from deep was uncharacteristic of both programs this season, with North Dakota hitting 41.4 percent of its shots from beyond the arc heading into the contest and Tennessee-Martin only making 29.1 percent of its three-point attempts before Sunday afternoon. Caleb Nero was the bright spot for UND, recording his second consecutive 20-point performance. Tsotne Tsartsidze nearly finished with a double-double, pouring in a career best 13 points and pulling down nine boards.
Narrow Victories
In its two wins this season, North Dakota has won by an average of 2.0 points. The Fighting Hawks overcame a 14-point deficit on Nov. 15 to defeat Montana 79-77 in the final seconds inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. After leading by 14 in the second half, UND held on for a 74-72 win over Troy in the opening game of the Paradise Classic on Nov. 19.
*Alec Johnson, UND Athletics