MIAMI (January 24, 2018) -- FIU will attempt to capture its first four-game home winning streak since the end of the 2012 calendar year when the Panthers host UAB Thursday night. The Conference USA women's basketball game, which tips at 7 p.m. Eastern, takes place at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami. The game will be streamed on Conference USA.tv, with A.J. Ricketts calling the action.
 
The first 200 students in attendance will receive a blue Roary Dad Hat. Gates open (and the hat giveaway begins) at 6 p.m.
 
Both programs are coming off of wins in their last outing. UAB leads the league in scoring margin, shooting percentage and assists, and is second in points scored. FIU is fifth in three-point shooting and third in three-point defense. The Blazers have beaten the Panthers in the last three meetings, including a 10-point win in Miami to end the 2017 regular season. In FIU's three-game home winning streak, the Panthers beat a team that had one or no conference losses on their ledger. UAB is 15-3 overall, 4-1 in league games. FIU enters at 6-12 overall, but 3-2 in C-USA.
 
FIU won its third-straight home game and first-ever in 12 games against LA Tech, 57-54 in front of 2,151 on Education STEM Day Thursday afternoon. FIU held LA Tech to a .333 shooting performance, while the Panthers shot .413. Kiandre'a Pound had a game-high 19 points and added eight rebounds. 
 
Coming off its first conference loss of the season against Southern Miss - UAB rebounded with a home win over North Texas, 68-52 on Saturday. The Blazers outscored the Mean Green 23-6 in the second quarter and never looked back. Katelynn Thomas was 11-for-11 from the floor and tied her career-high with 22 points. Miyah Barnes had her first double-double (12 points, 10 assists).
 
This is the only meeting between the two teams this season and one of only two C-USA games to start the league weekend between teams with winning conference marks.
 
Live stats links are found at FIUSports.com.
 
FIU will travel to Marshall to play Sunday to complete the league weekend.
 
For women's basketball ticket information, contact the FIU Ticket Office at 305-FIU-GAME or log onto www.FIUSports.com.
                                  
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Twitter (@FIUWBB) 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).
 
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