Florida International walked into a difficult spot and walked out with a result it badly needed.

The Panthers beat Middle Tennessee 88-84 on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in a back-and-forth game that stayed within a possession most of the night. FIU led 39-38 after the first half and maintained the slim margin with a 36-37 second-half split, doing just enough late to close out the road win.

How it happened

This one was tight from the opening tip. Middle Tennessee matched FIU’s pace early, trailing by just one at the break, 39-38. The second half followed the same script: FIU scored 36 after halftime, Middle Tennessee scored 37, and the difference came down to execution in the final stretch as the Panthers protected their edge.

Turning point

With neither team able to create separation across two halves, the game effectively became a series of late-game possessions. FIU’s ability to preserve the narrow lead it carried out of halftime — and avoid the kind of swing that flips close games — was the separator in an otherwise even contest.

What it means going forward

For FIU (now 11-11), the win snaps a skid in form and provides a stabilizing result after entering the game on a LWLLL run. For Middle Tennessee (now 11-11), it’s another close loss in a stretch that has leaned the wrong way (LLLWL), and the Blue Raiders will be looking to turn competitive performances into finishes that change the outcome.

Score by halves

FIU: 39 (1st) + 36 (2nd) = 88
Middle Tennessee: 38 (1st) + 37 (2nd) = 84

Venue: TBD