GAME NOTES: The Cal State Fullerton Titans will finish off their weekend with a test against the FIU Panthers as part of the Spartanburg Marriott Upstate Classic on Saturday afternoon at the Hodge Center.

After falling to event host USC Upstate, 68-53, on the first day of this three-day tournament, FIU found its way into the win column on Friday, although it took a 61-59 decision in overtime against Wright State to do so. The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Panthers, who are 4-2 overall. They will return home to face Kennesaw State next before embarking on an eight-game road trip.

Cal State Fullerton was treated unkindly by event host USC Upstate as well, falling flat in a 79-64 decision against the Spartans on Friday. The Titans are now 2-4 overall, with losses in two of their last three games. They will make a trip to face UCLA in their next bout.

These teams met for the first and only time back in 2005 when Cal State Fullerton collected a 74-57 victory.

Dennis Mavin was the hero for FIU against Wright State. Not only did he score 24 points and tear down nine rebounds, but his layup with three seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime. In the extra session, the Panthers made 7-of-8 free throws, while using a 5-0 burst down the stretch to gain enough of an advantage to secure the victory.

One constant for FIU through six games has been its ability to slow opposing teams on defense. The Panthers are allowing just 57.6 points per game on 37.1 percent shooting. Unfortunately, they have not been good enough on offense to win more games. They are making just 43.1 percent of their shots from the field, while averaging 63.2 points a contest. Mavin (15.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) is the top scoring threat on the roster, although Adrian Diaz (15 ppg, 7.8 rpg) can light up the scoreboard as well. He had 19 points and eight rebounds in the win over Wright State.

Cal State Fullerton simply couldn't keep up with USC Upstate on Friday. The Titans only made 40.8 percent of their shots from the floor, while turning the ball over 17 times. They also assisted on a meager seven of their field goals, while the Spartans racked up 18 helpers. Lanerryl Johnson poured in 31 points in the contest, but he also turned the ball over seven times.

Johnson (19.3 ppg) is scoring at an excellent rate this season and doing so without wasting a ton of chances. He has made 49.3 percent of his field goal tries overall, including a 48.6 percent performance from 3-point range. Moses Morgan (11.2 ppg) and Alex Harris (10.7 ppg) are averaging in double figures in the first six games as well. Joe Boyd (6 ppg, 7.2 rpg) isn't a particularly imposing offensive player, but he does lead the team in rebounds. Harris, Morgan and Boyd combined for only 21 points on 14-of-35 shooting.

Clearly FIU has some skill when it comes to slowing opponents down. However, the Panthers' own lethargic offensive efforts have held them back. That could be the case yet again, especially if Johnson gets more help than he did on Friday.