MIAMI, Fla. – Senior guard Kaliah Henderson led FIU with a career-high 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead the Panthers in a victory over Howard University (1-4) in the opening round of the FIU Thanksgiving Classic. The Panthers had three players finish with double figures in the win against Howard to give FIU a 2-2 overall record on the season.
 
The Panthers let their fourth quarter lead slip in their last contest against Jacksonville, but they buckled down and avoided a late comeback by the Bison with clutch free throw shooting knocking down 8 of 10 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
 
FIU's defense was in full affect against Howard limiting them to 26% shooting from behind the arc and 31% from the field. The Panthers forced 12 turnovers and scored 13 points of those mistakes.
 
The Panthers finished the contest shooting 37 percent from the floor (26-of-71), while burying eight threes at a 29 percent clip (8-for-28).  Redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse is responsible for half of those threes made nailing four 3- pointers (4-9) to finish with 19 points.  After today's performance, she continues to lead the Panthers and Conference USA in scoring averaging 18.5 points per game.
 
Henderson led the way with 24 points, while also making her second 3-pointer of the season. She also recorded six rebounds and three assists. Henderson has increased her scoring average to 13.8 points per game which is the second-best mark on the team.
 
Sophomore guard Tanajah Hayes added 10 points in her first start of the season, including four rebounds, assists, and steals each. Hayes is fifth in C-USA with 7 total steals on the season.  
Sophomore guard Zaida Gonzalez was a huge factor on the glass tonight. She finished with eight rebounds for a new season high. She also contributed on offense recording six points and paced the team with five assists.
 
FIU led by as much as 13 points in the first half and had a 42-29 halftime lead. The Panthers stormed out early to grab the lead and held on to it for the remaining 37 minutes of the game. They scored 27 points in the first quarter to outscore the Bison 27-15. The Panthers made 4 of 11 from behind the arc in the opening quarter.
 
One of the biggest difference makers in today's game was FIU's bench production. They had 37 points to Howard's 16, and this has been the highest total so far this season. Additionally, the Panthers dominated on the glass outrebounding the Bison, 57-45.
 
UP NEXT
FIU will continue the Thanksgiving Classic at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center with a Sunday afternoon matchup in the championship game against the University of Massachusetts scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on CUSA.tv
 
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