GAME NOTES: The FIU Panthers and the Wright State Raiders will each try to bounce back on the second day of the USC Upstate Classic when they meet at the Hodge Center.

FIU came out the gate with three straight wins, but has suffered through a rough patch since, dropping each of its last two contests. The first came against Georgia Southern (78-72), while the second occurred on Thursday in its first game of the Classic against host USC Upstate (68-53). The Panthers will tangle with Cal State Fullerton to close out the event.

Wright State had a 3-1 mark entering this tournament as well, but the Raiders, like the Panthers, fell short in the first round, a 67-62 loss to Cal State Fullerton. The Raiders will get its shot at event host USC Upstate on Saturday.

This bout marks the first time the Panthers and Raiders have ever clashed on the hardwood.

FIU was clearly affected by playing in an unfamiliar environment on Thursday against USC Upstate. The Panthers only made 32.7 percent of their shots from the floor, including a 4-of-16 effort from 3-point range. Despite the loss, FIU did outscore the Spartans in second-chance points (16-8), while holding a slime edge on the boards (36-34). Dennis Mavin scored 14 points as the only player to reach double figures for FIU.

Panthers' fans may have to get used to low-scoring affairs. FIU is averaging only 63.2 points per game on 43.1 percent shooting. Fortunately, opponents haven't been able to run up the score either, with the Panthers letting up only 57.6 points on a mere 37.1 percent shooting effort. Adrian Diaz (14.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 bpg) has connected on more than 50 percent of his field goal tries and has been a monster on defense as well. However, he had just one block against USC Upstate, which was a season-low. Mavin (14 ppg) is the only other double-digit scorer on the roster.

Wright State also struggled at the offensive end on Thursday. The Raiders only managed to covert 37 percent of their field goal attempts, while being outscored at the free-throw line (24-16) and in the paint (30-18). It also did not help that they lost the battle of the boards (40-31). JT Yoho did all he could to help, posting 20 points and nine rebounds, although he took 18 shots and made only six.

The Raiders are scoring at a better rate than the Panthers (70.4 ppg), but that has been coupled with weak defensive performances, as opponents are netting an even 70 points per game. Chrishawn Hopkins (16.2 ppg) usually provides plenty of scoring punch for the Raiders, but he finished with only eight points against the Titans. Yoho (22.5 ppg, 8 rpg) has been strong, but he has played in only two games, while Reggie Arceneaux (13.4 ppg) and Joe Thomasson (10.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg) have been consistent in all five games.

If Yoho continues to be effective down low, the Raiders will be in a good shape, and if they can put up a better fight on defense, their fortunes will only improve.