NORFOLK, Virginia (Jan. 2, 2021) – Propelled by a 12-point second half from Alma Danielsson, the FIU women's basketball team toppled the Old Dominion Monarchs, 81-80, to sweep the opening weekend series of Conference USA play.  
  
With the win, FIU improves to 5-3 on the season and 2-0 in C-USA play. The win also marks FIU's best start in league play since joining C-USA prior to the 2013-14 season. 
 
Danielsson, who was in foul trouble early, knocked down four three-pointers in the second half for 12 of her 18 points. Not to be outdone by Danielsson, Jiselle Thomas also filled the box score with 18 points. Kyla Nelson (11) and Fujika Nimmo (12) scored in double figures as well, while Emerald Ekpiteta notched her third double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds.  
 
In a game of runs, FIU had two of the biggest on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers closed out the half on a 15-5 flurry to head to the locker room up 10 points to end the second quarter. The second big FIU run came in the closing moments of the third period when the Panthers went on a 14-6 sprint that concluded with a half-court buzzer-beater from Nimmo.
 
ODU battled back to a 78-78 tied with 3:14 left in the game, before a Danielsson three-pointer and defensive stop as time expired pushed the Panthers over the top.  
  
FIU returns to Miami on Friday, Jan. 8, to host Middle Tennessee for the C-USA home-opening series. 
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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