MIAMI, Fla. – Senior Hope Butera had a career game against Bradley University and led FIU to victory with a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) on Tuesday afternoon at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. With the win today, the Panthers are back at the .500 mark with a 5-5 overall record.
 
The Panthers' bench was a major factor in the win today outscoring Bradley's reserves 23-4. Leading the second unit for FIU was junior forward Ajae Yoakum who finished 11 points and was third on the team with five rebounds.
 
Although the three-point shot was not falling today for the Panthers, they made up for that with their effort scoring inside. They outscored the Braves 42-26 thanks to Butera doing most of her damage near the rim.
 
Sophomore point guard Tanajah Hayes had another successful game of running the offense. Hayes led FIU with eight assists and finished with 15 in both games combined during the tournament.
 
Butera was a force on offense, but she also made her mark on the defensive end against Bradley. She paced the Panthers with four steals and two blocks; both marks tied a career high.
 
FIU's defense caused 18 Braves turnovers and they scored 10 points off those mistakes. This also included 11 steals by the Panthers as redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse was second on the team with three.
 
In the first quarter, FIU's defense took control early on and held Bradley to just nine points on 26.7% shooting from the field. The Braves would respond in the second quarter outscoring the Panthers 23-12 and took a 32-29 lead at the half.

The Panthers' defense adjusted in the second half and held the Braves to just 25 points in the third and fourth quarter combined. The Braves finished with three players with double digit points as Alex Rouse led them with 17.
 
All- Tournament Team Selections
FIU- #21- Hope Butera
George Mason- #0- Taylor Jameson
Stephen F. Austin- #21- Aiyana Johnson
Bradley- #3- Alex Rouse
 
FIU Holiday Hoops Showdown Standings
Stephen F. Austin: 2-0
FIU: 1-1
George Mason: 1-1
Bradley: 0-2
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will have an 11 day stretch of no games until they return to action Saturday, Dec. 31 when they begin the Conference USA portion of their schedule. FIU will take on the University of North Texas at 1:00 p.m. at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, Fla. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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