MIAMI – Eric Frederick and Marvin Roberts each scored 17 points to lead Florida International past Arkansas State 75-70 on Thursday night.
Roberts scored eight points in the final 5:11 for the Golden Panthers (7-7, 2-0 Sun Belt Conference).
After Trey Finn's driving jumper with 6:52 left tied it 61-61, Roberts converted on four free throws and increased the Florida International lead to 65-61.
Martavius Adams' basket with 5 seconds left put Arkansas State (7-9, 2-1) within 73-70. But he missed on his free throw for a possible 3-point play.
Phil Gary's two free throws with 4 seconds left secured the victory for the Panthers, who never trailed. Gary scored 13 points.
The Panthers' seventh victory of the season matches last year's total, when Florida International finished 7-25.
Adams led the Red Wolves with 20 points.
Dominique Ferguson was the fourth Florida International player who scored in double figures. Ferguson finished with 15 points.
The Red Wolves rallied from 13 down early in the second half with a 14-3 spurt. Donald Boone's two free throws with 10:19 left reduced the Florida International lead to 57-55.
The Panthers outscored the Red Wolves 16-9 in the first 4 minutes of the second half for their first double-digit lead, 52-41. Jeremy Allen's field goal with 15:21 remaining increased the advantage to 54-41.
Florida International shot 6 of 11 behind the arc in the first half as Frederick and Ferguson each converted on two 3-pointers.
DeJuan Wagner's free throw with 8:37 remaining gave the Panthers their biggest lead of the half, 28-21.
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