FRANKFORT, Kentucky (March 21, 2021) – The FIU women's basketball team scored five points in the final three seconds of Sunday's Women's Basketball Invitational Consolation title game, as the Panthers won on last-second free throws to earn the 59-58 victory over the Manhattan Jaspers.

Trailing 58-54, Kyla Nelson sank a three-pointer with three seconds left to cut the deficit to just a point before back-to-back missed free throws by the Jaspers gave the Panthers the final possession with just two ticks remaining.

Following a FIU timeout, the Panthers fed the ball to Emerald Ekpiteta on the ensuing inbounds play, as she drew the foul and went to the line with a chance to tie or win. With ice in her veins, Ekpiteta sank both free throws to give FIU the 59-58 win. 

"This season has been one for the books," Coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley said following the win. "For our kids and staff to be able to achieve what we did in the midst of everything going on externally shows you what happens when you stay team-centric. I'm thankful for all the support we have received and look forward to building on this."

The Panthers trailed by as many as nine points in the final quarter, before storming back to win their second WBI game of the weekend. 

Nelson led the Panthers with 21 points and 11 boards, earning her first double-double of the year in her final outing of 2020-21. All-Conference USA selection Jiselle Thomas added 18 points of her own to round out FIU's double-figure scorers.

The victory for FIU secured the program's first winning season since 2012-13, while giving Coach Burks-Wiley the second-most wins (15) among first-year head coaches in the nation. 

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