MIAMI (Oct. 21, 2018) – FIU rallied from behind to earn a thrilling five-set victory on Sunday, as the Panthers downed visiting Southern Miss, 3-2 (21-25, 27-29, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13).
 
With the win, FIU improves to 14-7 on the year and 6-2 overall in C-USA play. USM falls to 10-11 overall and 4-4 in league action. The 14 wins for FIU are the most by the Panthers in a single season since the 2015 squad won 15 on the year.
 
Margherita Bianchin led FIU with a triple-double on Sunday, as the senior poured in 23 kills, 15 digs and 13 assists. Abbie Hughes continued her successful freshman campaign as she posted a monstrous 44 assists and 21 digs for the Panthers.
 
USM scored 25-21 and 29-27 wins in the opening two sets, before FIU fought back with 25-21 and 25-23 victories to knot the contest at 2-2.  With momentum on FIU's side, the Panthers gutted out a 15-13 victory in the fifth set as Bianchin put the final nail in the USM coffin following a match-ending kill to send the Golden Eagles packing.
  
UP NEXT 
FIU will face its final non-conference foe of the season on Tuesday, Oct. 23 as the Panthers make the short trip over to Fort Myers to face Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. ET.
 
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