MIAMI (Jan. 3, 2019) – Despite holding Middle Tennessee to under 50 points on Thursday night, the FIU women's basketball team fell 49-43 to open Conference USA play at home.
 
FIU trailed by just one point with only a minute to spare, but the Blue Raiders sank a 3-pointer to extend their lead to 47-43 and sealed the game with an 8-0 run. 

With the loss, FIU is 3-11 on the season, while Middle Tennessee is 10-4 on the year.
 
FIU was led by TaMiracle Taylor who scored 15 points off the bench, while Paula Orenes added 11. MT's A'Queen Hayes posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Blue Raiders.

First half margin set at 24-20 in favor of the Blue Raiders, before FIU outscored MT 12-10 in the third quarter to trim the lead to just two at the end of the third quarter. The Panthers took a pair of fourth-quarter leads thanks to 3-pointers by Taylor and Orenes, but the lead was short-lived as the Blue Raiders closed out the game on an 8-0 run and earned a 49-43 victory. 

The 49 points for MT was its lowest output in a victory for the season. 

UP NEXT
The Panthers will continue C-USA play on Saturday, Jan. 5 as FIU hosts UAB at 2 p.m. ET. For tickets to the game, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit FIUSports.com's ticket page by clicking here. 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUWBasketball on Facebook and @FIUWBB on Twitter and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram