Florida International hosts Delaware following Fernandez's 27-point outing

Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (7-16, 3-9 CUSA) at Florida International Panthers (11-12, 4-8 CUSA)

Miami; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Delaware visits Florida International after Justyn Fernandez scored 27 points in Delaware's 89-88 overtime victory against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

The Panthers are 9-4 in home games. Florida International is fifth in the CUSA with 11.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Eric Dibami averaging 3.0.

The Fightin' Blue Hens are 3-9 in CUSA play. Delaware gives up 72.3 points to opponents and has been outscored by 5.9 points per game.

Florida International makes 45.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.8 percentage points higher than Delaware has allowed to its opponents (43.1%). Delaware has shot at a 44.3% clip from the field this season, 1.8 percentage points above the 42.5% shooting opponents of Florida International have averaged.

The Panthers and Fightin' Blue Hens square off Thursday for the first time in conference play this season.

Fernandez is shooting 40.4% from beyond the arc with 2.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Fightin' Blue Hens, while averaging 15.2 points. Christian Bliss is averaging 17.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 3-7, averaging 75.0 points, 33.5 rebounds, 11.7 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.2 points per game.

Fightin' Blue Hens: 3-7, averaging 66.9 points, 27.7 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 4.9 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 72.5 points.

___