TULSA, Okla.-The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff men's basketball team forced Florida International to commit 19 turnovers, resulting in 24 points as the Golden Lions defeated the Panthers, 58-56, during the consolation rounds of the 2011 Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off in Tulsa, Okla.  
   
FIU (1-2) jumped out to an 11-point lead, 23-12, following a 3-pointer by senior Jeremy Allen with 7:39 left in the first half. The Golden Lions defense subsequently tightened up their play as the Panthers struggled from the field for the remainder of the half, as UAPB outscored FIU, 18-2, to take a 33-25 lead heading into halftime. During the first half, FIU was forced into committing 12 turnovers, resulting in 17 Golden Lion points.
 
UAPB jumped out to a 14-point lead to start the second half, 39-25. Daniel Broughton tipped in a missed layup with 18:03 left in the game to give the Golden Lions their biggest lead of the contest.
 
FIU battled back as Allen gave FIU its first lead since the first half, with a put-back layup with 1:37 left to play. However, Arkansas-Pine Bluff regained the lead 10 seconds later following a Broughton layup and held onto the advantage for the remainder of the contest. UAPB out-rebounded FIU, 32-25, and held a 14-13 edge in steals.
 
Arkansas-Pine Bluff's (1-2), Mitchell Anderson and Savalace Townsed each contributed 19 points in what was the men's basketball team's first win of the season. UAPB will next face SMU on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla. Game time is 5:00 p.m.