MIAMI (Feb. 26, 2021) – The FIU women's basketball team welcomed Conference USA foe WKU for a battle at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Friday night. The Panthers fell to the Hilltoppers 66-56 during the series opener.

The Panthers got off to a slow start, falling behind 18-9 in the first quarter. The team charged back following the break, and an 11-0 run for the team helped FIU claw its way back. Nine-straight points by Fujika Nimmo ended the half and allowed the Panthers to have the slim 33-32 edge heading into the locker room.

Following a solid third quarter that saw FIU hold the 45-43 edge going into the final frame, the Panthers were outscored 23-11 during the fourth quarter and fell to the Hilltoppers 66-56.

Overall, FIU shot 39.6% for the game and went 80% from the charity stripe. Jiselle Thomas led the Panthers with 25 points, just two shy of her career-high. Nimmo and Emerald Ekpiteta pitched in with 13 points apiece, and Ekpiteta was a rebound away from another double-double.

The Panthers and Hilltoppers face off on Saturday, Feb. 26, with tipoff scheduled or 4 p.m. ET. Fans can tune into the contest on C-USA TV.

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.