MIAMI -- Donte McGill had 23 of his career-high 29 points in the first half and Florida International held its lead in the second to beat Louisiana Tech 88-74 on Thursday night.

FIU (9-8, 3-1 Conference USA) led 52-41 when McGill closed the first half with his third 3-pointer. The Panthers led by no less than nine in the second half.

McGill scored 12 straight FIU points as the Panthers jumped to a 17-11 lead. Louisiana Tech (13-4, 2-2) closed to within 27-24 on Leantwan Luckett's jumper and stayed close until FIU capped the half with an 8-2 run.

Daviyon Draper added 18 points for the Panthers, who made 56.9 percent from the field. Adrian Diaz and Jason Boswell each added 11.

Dayon Griffin had 16 points, Alex Hamilton added 13 and Merrill Holden scored 11 for the Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech has lost two of three since opening the season 12-2.