DeJuan Wright scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Florida International over South Alabama 81-74 Saturday night, in the regular season finale for both teams.
Wright scored six of his points during a key run for the Panthers (16-11, 8-8 Sun Belt Conference) in the first half.
FIU led 30-27 and outscored the Jaguars 11-1 the 2:53 left in the first half. South Alabama had three turnovers during the spurt.
The Jaguars outshot FIU 49.2 percent (31 of 63) to 49.3 percent (25 of 62) but where outscored 41-30 before halftime. South Alabama had nine of their 12 turnovers in the first half.
Jeremy Allen added 21 points for the Panthers, who ended a five game skid.
Augustine Rubit led the Jaguars (16-11, 8-8) with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Mychal Ammons scored 12 points and Freddie Goldstein 10 for South Alabama, which snapped a four-game win streak.
