HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Ray Rodriguez scored 14 points and hit a key 3-pointer in overtime to help Florida International beat Southern Miss 73-71 on Thursday night.
Rodriguez made his third trey with 2:49 left in overtime, giving the Golden Panthers a 70-66 lead. The Golden Eagles missed their next five shots before Keljin Blevins made a pair of free throws to pull Southern Miss within 72-71 with 20 seconds left. FIU’s Dennis Mavin then split a pair of free throws, and Chip Armelin’s potential game-tying jumper rimmed out to seal it for the Golden Panthers.
Hassan Hussein blocked Armelin’s shot attempt in the closing seconds of regulation to force overtime.
Daviyon Draper and Mavin scored 16 points apiece for FIU (12-12, 5-6 Conference USA).
Armelin scored 24 points, and Matt Bingaya had 22 to lead Southern Miss (6-17, 1-11), which has lost five straight.
