Liberty hosts Florida International after Jackson's 20-point game

Florida International Panthers (12-13, 5-9 CUSA) at Liberty Flames (22-3, 14-0 CUSA)

Lynchburg, Virginia; Thursday, 6 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Florida International visits Liberty after Zawdie Jackson scored 20 points in Florida International's 77-64 win against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

The Flames are 12-0 in home games. Liberty ranks third in the CUSA in team defense, allowing 67.7 points while holding opponents to 43.7% shooting.

The Panthers are 5-9 in CUSA play. Florida International averages 81.6 points and has outscored opponents by 3.8 points per game.

Liberty's average of 10.5 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.9 more made shots on average than the 9.6 per game Florida International gives up. Florida International has shot at a 45.7% clip from the field this season, 2.0 percentage points higher than the 43.7% shooting opponents of Liberty have averaged.

The matchup Thursday is the first meeting this season between the two teams in conference play.

Corey Stephenson is shooting 45.6% and averaging 17.7 points for the Panthers. Ashton Williamson is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Flames: 10-0, averaging 76.3 points, 24.4 rebounds, 17.4 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 52.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.3 points per game.

Panthers: 3-7, averaging 75.3 points, 35.2 rebounds, 11.8 assists, 9.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 77.9 points.

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