GAME NOTES: The FIU Panthers take aim at their fourth win in as many games this season when they tangle with the Georgia Southern Eagles in a non- conference affair at Hanner Fieldhouse.

With wins over lesser foes like Florida College (64-42), Stetson (53-52) and Florida Memorial (74-48), FIU has yet to taste defeat. The Panthers will take part in the Spartanburg Marriott Upstate Classic next weekend, beginning with a tilt against USC Upstate.

Georgia Southern is off to a 2-1 start. The team was sent home with an 80-71 loss by Illinois, but has since recovered with routs of non-Divisionn I schools Trinity College and Johnson University. They will host South Carolina State next before beginning a three-game road trip.

These teams played twice back in 1992 with GSU winning both times by scores of 78-72 and 95-71, respectively.

There was very little resistance felt by FIU in its win over Florida Memorial. The Panthers shot a solid 53.3 percent from the floor in the contest, although they did not do a great job from beyond the arc (4-of-13), or at the free- throw line (22-of-35). Still, it was more than enough to take out the opposing side, especially since they forced 24 turnovers and held their opponents to just 34.8 percent shooting.

Such defensive efforts have been a key component in the Panthers' impressive early start. Of course, the level of competition has been a major help, but they are still letting up only 47.3 points per game on 34.7 percent shooting. Dennis Mavin (17 ppg) leads the way at the offensive side, and he is one of two players averaging in double figures, all while shooting at a 51.4 percent clip. Adrian Diaz (10 ppg, 7.7 rpg) contributes in a number of ways. Mavin had 19 points last time out and Diaz posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Ray Rodriguez (6.3 ppg, 4 apg) handed out six assists, but more surprisingly, finished with 13 points.

GSU showed no mercy to its last opponent, sinking 15 3-pointers en route to a 97-41 demolition of Johnson University. The Eagles also owned a massive edge on the glass (62-30), while forcing more than twice as many turnovers (13) as they committed (six). Jelani Hewitt scored 19 points to lead six players in double figures in the victory.

While the Panthers have used their easy early schedule to dominate on defense, the Eagles have used theirs to light up the scoreboard. They are averaging 84.7 points per game, despite shooting a pedestrian 43.3 percent from the field. Hewitt (18.7 ppg) has made a habit of being at the top of the scorer's sheet, doing so with realtive accuracy from 3-point range (12-of-27). Hewitt also makes time to set up teammates for easy buckets, averaging 5.7 assists per game. Trent Wiedeman (14 ppg, 7.7 rpg) is the second-best scorer on the roster, although Angel Matias (9.3 ppg, 11 rpg), Curtis Diamond (9.3 ppg) and Mike Hughes (9 rpg) are all decent offensive options as well.

A powerful offensive team meets a strong defensive squad. Expect the Eagles to keep the pace elevated, and for Hewitt to lead them to another victory.