Davis lights it up from deep in win for FIU

Bahamian collegiate forward Radshad Davis knocked down seven three-pointers for his team, the Florida International University (FIU) Panthers, in an 82-75 home victory in a rematch with the Flagler University Saints on Friday afternoon at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, in Miami, Florida.

Davis dropped in a career and team high 28 points in 27 minutes of play, finishing a near perfect 10-for-12 from the field. He shot 83.3 percent for the afternoon, including 7-for-8 from deep, going a very efficient 87.5 percent from distance. Davis narrowly missed out on a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds.

This was the second straight win for the Panthers on the young season. They play out of Conference USA (C-USA) in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s basketball.

Redshirt senior Davis was perfect from the field in the first half including knocking down his only three-point attempt, scoring 10 points. In that half, the Bahamian grabbed five rebounds. He led his team in scoring in the first half.

The first half ended with the score tied at 29. The Panthers shot just 28.9 percent from the field in the first half overall, 13.6 percent from three-point land. They also shot poorly from the free throw line, connecting on just 44.4 percent from the charity stripe.

With 10:34 remaining in the second half, Flagler looked like the better team as they took a double-digit lead, 57-47, on a Jaizec Lottie three-pointer. That lead grew to 11 points with 9:47 remaining in the second half.

The Panthers began to scratch away at the lead and with 4:01 remaining in that half, Davis hit his seventh and final three-pointer of the game to bring his team to within one point, 72-71.

Davis’ final three-pointer ignited a 17-3 scoring run for the Panthers 17-3 that sealed the comeback victory. The Bahamian scored all 18 of his second-half points from behind the three-point line.

Whatever Coach Jeremy Ballard told his team at the half worked, as they outscored their opponents, 53-46, in the second half. Led by Davis, they went 10-for-19 from beyond the arc in the second half shooting a blistering 52.6 percent from there. The Panthers shot 55.9 percent from the field in the second half and improved their foul shot percentage in that half, shooting 62.5 percent.

These two teams faced each other on opening day, last Wednesday. Playing on their home floor in that matchup, the Panthers took down the Saints, 85-81. Davis finished that game with 17 points on 5-for-12 shooting, connecting on 41.7 percent of his shots. He made three three-pointers in eight attempts, connecting on 37.5 percent from deep. In that game, he also pulled down seven rebounds and stepped on the court for 25 minutes of play.

This is Davis’ third collegiate team. He played for the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzlies from 2016-2018. After his stint in Missouri, he went on to play for the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks from 2018-2020.

The Panthers return to their home court today for a third straight home game. This time, they will play the University of Central Michigan Chippewas. Tip-off time is at 7 p.m.

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