MIAMI — In a thrilling finish that came down to the final seconds, the University of Delaware men's basketball team edged out Florida International University 68-66 on Thursday night at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Justyn Fernandez powered the Blue Hens with a game-high 21 points, while Macon Emory delivered the decisive blow with a putback dunk as time expired, securing a hard-fought victory for Delaware in Conference USA play.
The win improves Delaware's record to 8-16 overall and 4-9 in the conference, providing a much-needed boost for a team that has struggled to find consistency this season. Florida International, meanwhile, drops to 11-13 overall and remains at 4-9 in conference standings, highlighting the tight competition in the middle of the pack. According to the Associated Press, the game was a back-and-forth affair, with Delaware trailing by just one point at halftime, 30-29.
Fernandez, a junior guard for the Blue Hens, was the standout performer from the opening tip. He tallied 12 of his 21 points in the first half, helping keep Delaware within striking distance despite FIU's early edge. Fernandez also grabbed nine rebounds, showcasing his all-around impact on both ends of the floor. His scoring efficiency and rebounding were crucial, as Delaware leaned on his versatility to match the Panthers' physicality inside.
Tyler Houser complemented Fernandez's efforts with 17 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Houser added seven rebounds and was particularly dominant in the second half, where he scored 13 points to fuel Delaware's comeback. Christian Bliss also reached double figures with 17 points, going 4-of-10 from the field, including 3-of-7 from three-point range, and a near-perfect 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Macon Emory rounded out the key contributors with 10 points, including the game-sealing play.
For Florida International, Eric Dibami led the charge with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, along with two steals that disrupted Delaware's rhythm at times. Zawdie Jackson contributed 14 points, showing his scoring prowess as a sophomore guard, while Ashton Williamson added 11 points off the bench. Despite the strong individual showings, the Panthers couldn't hold off Delaware's late surge.
The first half set the tone for a low-scoring, defensive battle. FIU jumped out to a slim lead, capitalizing on Dibami's rebounding to control the paint. Delaware responded with Fernandez's hot shooting, but turnovers and missed opportunities kept the Blue Hens down by one at the break. According to game data from Sportradar, both teams combined for just 59 points in the opening 20 minutes, underscoring the defensive intensity on display.
Coming out of halftime, Delaware flipped the script. Houser took over early in the second half, hitting a pair of mid-range jumpers to tie the score. The Blue Hens gradually pulled ahead, outscoring FIU by three points over the final period. Bliss's three-point shooting stretched the lead at key moments, while Emory's energy off the bench provided the spark that Delaware needed to maintain momentum.
As the clock wound down, the game remained razor-close. With under a minute left, FIU tied it at 66-66 on a Jackson layup, setting up a tense finish. Delaware called timeout, and on the ensuing possession, Fernandez drove to the basket but missed a contested shot. That's when Emory stepped up, grabbing the offensive rebound and slamming home the putback dunk just as the buzzer sounded, sending the Delaware bench into a frenzy.
This victory marks a turning point for Delaware, who entered the game on a three-game skid in conference play. The Blue Hens have shown flashes of potential this season, particularly when Fernandez and Houser are clicking offensively, but defensive lapses have plagued them. Coach Martin Ingelsby, in post-game remarks reported by local outlets, praised his team's resilience: "We fought all game, and Macon's dunk was the reward for our effort." Ingelsby emphasized the importance of the win in building confidence ahead of a tough remaining schedule.
Florida International, coached by Jeremy Growe, saw their four-game home winning streak snapped. Growe noted the Panthers' strong start but lamented the late collapse. "We had our chances, but give credit to Delaware for making the plays when it mattered," he said, according to FIU's official athletics site. The loss keeps FIU mired in the conference's lower tier, where every game feels like a must-win to climb the standings.
Conference USA has been a grueling league this year, with parity evident in the records of both teams. Delaware joined the conference in 2022 after moving from the Colonial Athletic Association, bringing a tradition of competitive basketball from the Northeast. FIU, a longtime member, has been rebuilding under Growe since 2021, focusing on developing young talent like Jackson and Dibami.
Fernandez's performance adds to his growing reputation as a key leader for Delaware. The 6-foot-3 guard transferred from a junior college program and has averaged 14.2 points per game this season, per team stats. His ability to score in traffic and crash the boards has been vital, especially in road games like this one in Miami's humid conditions.
Looking ahead, Delaware faces a crucial matchup against Louisiana Tech on the road next Saturday, a game that could solidify their position if they carry over this momentum. FIU, meanwhile, hosts Middle Tennessee on Tuesday, hoping to rebound quickly at home. Both teams are in the thick of the conference race, where a few wins could make the difference in postseason positioning.
The game was part of a broader slate of mid-February action in college basketball, as teams jockey for NCAA Tournament berths or conference tournament seeds. For Delaware and FIU, neither currently projected for the big dance, this win provides intangible benefits—proof that perseverance can pay off in the final moments. As the season progresses, expect Fernandez and Emory to be central figures in Delaware's push for respectability.
In the end, Thursday's contest exemplified the unpredictability of mid-major basketball, where underdogs can steal victories with clutch plays. Delaware's 68-66 triumph over FIU will be remembered for Emory's buzzer-beater, a moment that could inspire the Blue Hens through the season's stretch run.