NCAA Game Summary - FIU at Florida Atlantic

Boca Raton, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Dennis Mavin scored 23 points as the FIU Panthers narrowly defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls 74-70 in a Conference USA showdown at FAU Arena.

Rakeem Buckles finished with 18 points for the Panthers (15-16, 7-9 C-USA), who have won two straight games. Tymell Murphy tallied 13 points, eight rebounds and six steals.

Marquan Botley had a career-high 27 points, while Justin Raffington added 19 and eight rebounds for the Owls (10-21, 5-11), who extended their losing streak to six games.

FAU shot 50 percent from the floor in the opening frame, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range, as it led 38-30 at the intermission. FIU made 45 percent of its field goal attempts in the period.

The Panthers connected on 53.6 percent of their field goal tries in the second half and made 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. Murphy made a layup with 36 seconds to break a tie and give FIU a 70-68 lead. Following a Botley turnover on the other end, Buckles got a shot to fall with 17 seconds remaining and the Panthers held on from there.

Despite the loss, the Owls did a better job on the glass as they outrebounded the Panthers 33-26.