MIAMI (Dec. 4, 2021) - The FIU women's basketball team pulled out a big home win against UNF on Saturday afternoon thanks to a clutch performance in the fourth quarter, as the Panthers defeated the Ospreys by a score of 53-51 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
With the win, FIU's record improved to 5-3 on the season and 4-2 at home. UNF fell to 5-4 on the season.
Ariel Colon led the Panthers with 19 points off the bench, while pulling down six boards and contributing a big block in the final moments to seal the victory for FIU.
Kyla Nelson dropped 18 points and four assists for the Blue & Gold while sinking a game-high four 3-pointers, including a clutch corner-three with 51 seconds remaining in regulation to seize the lead for FIU.
The Panther defense kept in check a potent UNF offense that was averaging 48 percent shooting from the field and 82 points per game, as the Ospreys shot only 39 percent against FIU and scored 30 points less than their average.
FIU's hustle and tenacity created many second-chance opportunities, with the Panthers pulling in 12 offensive rebounds and sinking nine second-chance points.
FIU led for a total of 33 minutes during the contest and was up by as much as 10 points.
Kyla Nelson was hitting her mark early on, as the Panther splashed two treys and scored eight straight points for FIU in the first quarter. Colon dropped 12 points before the half and led FIU in scoring.
Leading 22-21 after halftime, the Panthers broke out for a 10-0 run in the third quarter to take their largest lead of the game at the period's 4:39 mark, with FIU up 34-24 over UNF.
UNF chipped away at the deficit to shorten FIU's lead to 41-40Â midway through the fourth quarter, but a long-ball by Nelson at the 6:43 mark extended the Panthers' lead back to four points. Colon then banked in a driving layup and was fouled to give FIU an and-one opportunity, before Emerald Ekpiteta sank another free throw to extend the lead to 48-40.
After a run by UNF, the Panthers found themselves down by a score of 50-51Â with 52 seconds left to play, but Nelson came to FIU's rescue with a clutch trey to retake the lead. Tanajah Hayes set up the play with a nice dime to Nelson off the dribble.
Up 53-51 with 44 seconds left, Colon came up big defensively with a fantastic block on a driving layup attempt by UNF. The Ospreys saw one more possession for a chance to take the lead, but the FIU defense put the clamps on UNF as the game clock expired and the Blue & Gold secured a big win at The Bank.
Emerald Ekpiteta grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for FIU while contributing seven points.
Raquel Ferrer-Bernad logged her first start of the season and recorded a game-high four assists.
The Blue & Gold bench outscored UNF's second unit by a margin of 28-15.
UP NEXT
FIU has 10 days to prepare before traveling to Daytona Beach to battle Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
The Panthers will be back at the OBCC on Dec. 20-21 for a two-game homestand during the annual FIU Holiday Hoops Showdown.
TICKETS
For tickets to all upcoming women's basketball home games, click here.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get all the latest information on the team by following @FIUWBB on Facebook and @FIU_WBB on Twitter and @FIUWBB on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
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