Double-Doubles by Watson, Stevenson Carry Golden Eagles to 75-67 Win over FIU

Saturday, February 15

Reed Green Coliseum

2 p.m. CT

Southern Miss

-918, 59 CUSA

FIU

-1710, 89 CUSA

FIU

Southern Miss

Double-Doubles by Watson, Stevenson Carry Golden Eagles to 75-67 Win over FIU

2/15/2020 5:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats (PDF)

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Standout performances by sophomores Gabe Watson (14 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds) and Tyler Stevenson (22 points, 11 rebounds), as well as a 19-0 run in the first half, fueled Southern Miss to a 75-67 win over FIU on Saturday afternoon.

This game also served as the team's Senior Day, since its final two home games will be determined Sunday through Conference USA's bonus play.

"We're not a pretty team," head coach Jay Ladner said. "We have to learn how to play with the lead. We're in that transition stage from losing to thinking we can win, and now how to win. Part of it is playing smart down the stretch. FIU got within three and we were missing free-throws and turning the ball over. We weren't tough enough, but we steadied ourselves. I was very pleased. FIU has had an outstanding year."

Southern Miss (9-18, 5-9 C-USA) led 70-59 with a minute left. FIU then responded with a three-point play and two free-throws to pull within six and 45 seconds to go. After the Golden Eagles missed on the one-and-one, the Panthers hit a three to make it a 70-67 game. Leonard Harper-Baker made a foul shot to up the lead to four, and after the Panthers missed a triple, Stevenson was fouled after the rebound and added two more shots. A turnover in the final seconds led to another layup.

FIU (17-10, 8-6 C-USA) led 11-4 to start before the Golden Eagles reeled off 19-straight points to put them ahead for good. They hit five treys in that span (two by Watson, two by LaDavius Draine, one by Artur Konontsuk). It was a 31-24 margin at the half.

Stevenson (10-for-13 from the field) earned his fifth double-double of the season, and it was also Watson's second. Stevenson's 11 boards tied a career-high, and Watson's 11 assists were the most by a Golden Eagle since Tyree Griffin against UTSA on March 9, 2019.

"I'm proud of our seniors," Ladner said. "We want to start a tradition here, and our program is based on family. It's important to me that we win on days we honor our seniors. I hope it continues to be a bigger deal, especially to our fans and their great showing today."

NOTABLE
-Southern Miss has won two in a row against FIU, taking an 89-73 decision in Miami last year.
-The Golden Eagles' 41-26 rebound margin was its best against a Division I team this year, and gives them a plus-32 for the last three games.
-Southern Miss went 10-for-20 from deep, tying a season-high for percentage. It also went 11-for-22 and 8-for-16 in consecutive nights against Gonzaga and Seton Hall, respectively.
-The Golden Eagles shot 54.9 percent on the day, its best since going 55.6 at UAB on Jan. 23.
-LaDavius Draine went 4-for-7 from deep, giving him 171 makes for his career. He is 23 away from catching Casey Fisher (1984-88) for No. 2 all-time at the school.
-Gabe Watson's 11 assists were the most by a Golden Eagle since Tyree Griffin against UTSA on March 9, 2019.
-Watson and Draine have each played 40-plus minutes in six of the last eight games.
-Boban Jacdonmi had another impactful game off the bench, and is 6-for-7 from the field his last three games.