MIAMI (Nov. 28, 2013) – The FIU women's basketball team (0-4) kicks off the Thanksgiving Classic, hosting the Valparaiso Crusaders (0-5) tomorrow. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. from Lime Court at U.S. Century Bank Arena.
Last Time Out
The Panthers are coming off an 89-69 road loss to the Boston College Eagles on Thursday, Nov. 21 from the Conte Forum in Chestnutt Hill, Mass. Senior
Jerica Coley registered 36 points on 10-of-28 shooting, while going 4-of-10 from 3-point range and was a perfect 12-of-12 from the line. The two-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and 2013-14 Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year extended her streak to 34-straight games scoring in double-figures, dating back to her junior year. It's the 26th time since the 2012-13 season that Coley has scored 20-or-more points and the 13th time she's scored 30-or-more. It's the fifth time in Coley's career she's shot a 1.000 clip on 10-or-more free throws in a game.
Redshirt freshman
Brianna Wright scored a career-high 13 points, going 4-of-8 from the floor and a perfect 5-of-5 from the line for the first time in her career. Junior
Zsofia
Labady scored in double-figures for the fourth time in her career, adding 10 points to the effort.
FIU's 21-of-21 free-throw performance against the Eagles is the first time since the 2012-13 season opener that the team has been perfect from the line (11/11/12, North Florida, 14-14.) FIU finished the night 20-of-49 from the floor and 8-of-17 from beyond the arc. Both teams committed 11 turnovers.
Scouting Valparaiso
The Crusaders are 0-5, most recently losing, 84-78, at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 24. Through five games, Valparaiso has been on the road for four of them. The Crusaders are averaging 58.0 points-per-game, while opponents are averaging 85.8 points-per-game. Abby Dean (55), Charae Richardson (53) and Lexi Miller (48) lead the Crusaders offense. Dean is averaging 11.0 points-per-game and leads Valparaiso, going 18-of-42 from the floor. The team is shooting 80 percent from the line, while tallying 31 boards-per-game, 10 less than its opponents.
Thanksgiving Classic
The annual Thanksgiving Classic runs Nov. 29-Dec. 1. FIU opens the classic against Valparaiso on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m., with Villanova and Montana State following at 8 p.m. The Panthers return to action on Sunday at 3 p.m., with the opponent based on the outcomes of Friday's two games. Prior to FIU's Sunday afternoon tip, Valparaiso will square off against either Montana State or Villanova at 1 p.m.
Head Coach
Cindy Russo has led her squads to 689 victories over 37 years, making her the ninth-winningest active coach in Division I. For her career, Russo has amassed an overall record of 689-365, and owns a record of 649-343 in 35 seasons at FIU. Her 34 full seasons at FIU are the fifth-most across all NCAA institutions, regardless of division, for number of seasons spent with one program.
#HolyColey up for the Senior Class Award
Coley has been recognized as one of 60 men's and women's basketball student-athletes who excel both on and off the court for the 2013-14 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate basketball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUWBasketball) and become a fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUWBasketball) for all the latest FIU women's basketball news. Follow all of FIU's 18 athletic teams on Google+ (FIU Athletics), Twitter (@FIUAthletics), Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSports), YouTube (FIUPanthers), and Instagram (FIUathletics). The official hashtag of the 2013-14 FIU athletic season is PantherNation.
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About FIU Athletics: FIU Athletics is home to more than 400 student-athletes in 18 different sports. Athletic events are played in seven different venues on FIU's campuses (Modesto A. Maidique and Biscayne Bay), including U.S. Century Bank Arena and Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.
About FIU: Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor¹s, master¹s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida¹s anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. FIU is a member of Conference USA and has 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.
