WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Hamed Olayinka recorded 17 rebounds and five blocks to anchor Florida International’s 77-64 men’s basketball victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Golden Panthers, now 12-13 overall, pulled away in the second half after leading 33-31 at halftime. Olayinka, a 6-foot-9 junior from Los Angeles, added 11 points and three assists in 33 minutes. Zawdie Jackson led all scorers with 20 points for Florida International.

The Bulldogs (14-11) were led by AJ Bates with 14 points. Louisiana Tech kept pace early but was outscored 44-33 after intermission in the Conference USA contest. The outcome defied the national statistical projection that favored the Bulldogs.