MIAMI (Nov. 27, 2021) – The FIU women's basketball team grinded out a tough win at home against Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon, with the Panthers downing the Eagles by a score of 67-60 at home.

The Blue & Gold's record improved to 4-2 with the victory including a 3-1 mark at home.

FIU exploded with 11 threes in the contest on 48 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Kyla Nelson led the Panthers with a season-high 19 points, as the forward hit five treys on seven attempts.

Ariel Colon (14) and freshman guard Zaida Gonzalez (12) chipped in with double-digit scoring efforts as well, while Colon led FIU with five rebounds.

Freshman Tanajah Hayes had an effective two-way impact with a team-high four assists and three steals. Olivia Trice also logged four assists while knocking down a couple treys.

The Blue & Gold led for a total of 36 minutes in the contest and were up by as much as 19 points during the game.

After leading by double digits at halftime, FIU withstood a run from Eastern Michigan in the third quarter but never relinquished the lead, before the Panthers answered back with a clutch forth quarter to seal the victory.

FIU hit three treys in the opening period and shot 50 percent from the field as the Panthers led 15-14 after the first quarter.

The Blue & Gold caught fire in the second quarter and splashed seven long balls as the Panthers out-scored the Eagles 27-11 in the period. FIU's swarming defense held EMU to 37 percent shooting from the field in the second quarter as the Panthers went on a 10-0 scoring run before taking a 42-25 lead into the locker room.

After the Eagles cut their deficit to 51-45 to close the third quarter, FIU's defense put the clamps on EMU in the fourth to propel the Panthers to a victory. The Blue and Gold forced the Eagles to shoot 33 percent from the field in the final period, while FIU shot 50 percent and saw six different Panthers score.

EMU got within two points at the 8:24 mark of the fourth, but a 6-0 FIU run pushed the Panthers' lead to 58-50. With time dwindling late in the final quarter, Kyla Nelson finally sank a dagger three with 35 seconds remaining in the game to put FIU up by nine points and all but assure a victory for the Blue & Gold.

UP NEXT
The Panthers are back in action at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Tuesday, Nov. 30, for a battle against in-state foe Jacksonville. Tip off against the Dolphins is set for 7 p.m. ET.

TICKETS
For tickets to all upcoming women's basketball home games, click here.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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