DeLAND—Florida International's Dennis Mavin hit a driving layup with 5.6 seconds to play to lift the Panthers to a 53-52 win over Stetson, Tuesday at Edmunds Center.

For the second straight game the Hatters (1-2) struggled offensively in the game's final minutes. Stetson went 1-of-4 from the field in the final 3:42, and turned the ball over twice. FIU (2-0) took advantage and closed the game on an 8-0 run.

Stetson led 52-45 after a three-pointer by Kentwan Smith with 3:10 to play. Mavin made one-of-two free throws to make it 52-46 and Marco Porcher Jimenez cut the lead to 52-49 with a three-pointer.

Two Mavin free throws following a Stetson turnover put the Panthers within 52-51 with 56 seconds to play. But on Stetson's ensuing possession, freshman point guard Divine Myles was stripped driving to the basket by Adrian Diaz with 25 seconds to play, setting the stage for Mavin's bucket.

After Mavin scored the Hatters still had a chance. Kentwan Smith drove the right baseline with just over one second to play but he was met at the basket by Diaz, who blocked Smith's shot as time expired.

The Hatters played their best half of the season over the first 20 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the field en route to a 32-25 halftime lead.

Myles led the Hatters with 11 points and was the only Hatter to score in double figures. Brian Pegg added nine points and six rebounds, while Smith had seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

Stetson limited FIU to 35.3 percent shooting for the game and out-rebounded FIU, 37-27. The Panthers, however, committed just six turnovers and made 16 trips to the free throw line to just 12 for Stetson.

Mavin finished with a game-high 15 points on 3-for-12 shooting from the field and a 9-of-12 effort from the free throw line.

The Hatters return to action when they host Palm Beach Atlantic, 7 p.m., Thursday, at Edmunds Center.

--SU--