MIAMI, Fla. – Senior guard Kaliah Henderson led FIU with 19 points off the bench in a commanding win over the University of North Texas (3-9, 0-2 CUSA) on Saturday afternoon at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. With the win today, the Panthers are over the .500 mark with a 6-5 overall record.
 
The Panthers' bench played a big role in the victory over the Mean Green. FIU's second unit outscored UNT's bench 51-30 headlined by Henderson. Three out of the four Panthers who finished with double digit points were reserves.
 
Junior forward Ajae Yoakum finished with 12 points and four rebounds while sophomore guard Zaida Gonzalez recorded 10 points and three rebounds. Henderson, Yoakum, and Gonzalez combined to score 41 points off FIU's bench.
 
Redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse was a spark in the starting lineup for the Panthers and was tied for second on the team with 12 points. She also led FIU on the glass with seven rebounds.
 
The three-point shot was falling today for the Panthers as they 41.2% (7-17) from behind the arc. FIU was also aggressive attacking the paint consistently and were rewarded 31 trips to the foul line. The Panthers converted on 27 of those foul shots and shot an impressive 87.1% from the charity stripe.
 
FIU's defense caused 21 turnovers by the Mean Green and the Panthers scored 21 points off those miscues. This also included 10 steals by the Panthers as Joyeuse and sophomore guard Tanajah Hayes paced the team with three steals each. Hayes also led FIU with six assists.
 
The Panthers' offense was in control for majority of the game as they held the lead for almost 35 minutes and their largest lead was 27 points midway through the fourth quarter.  
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will be on the road next week for a two-game slate starting with a Thursday night matchup against Charlotte at 6 p.m on Jan. 5. FIU will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 7 to take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 p.m. The contest against UAB 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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