MIAMI (Feb. 16, 2021) - The FIU women's basketball team opens a three-game road trip over a five-day stretch beginning this Thursday, Feb. 17, at Middle Tennessee, before seeing Rice on Saturday (Feb. 19), and Charlotte on Monday (Feb. 21).

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

FOLLOW LIVE
Watch: Middle Tennessee | Rice | Charlotte
Live Stats: Middle Tennessee | Rice | Charlotte

MT PREVIEW
The Blue Raiders have recorded a 17-5 record (9-3 C-USA) this season are in second place in the C-USA East Division standings, trailing Charlotte by only a half-game. MT defeated Charlotte on the road (46-45) this past Sunday, Feb. 13.

FIU snapped a 15-game losing skid to MT earlier this season on Jan. 15, by a score of 56-54 in Miami. The Blue Raiders lead the all-time series over FIU by a margin of 32-10.

SCOUTING THE BLUE RAIDERS
MT is led offensively by junior forward Kseniya Malashka, who averages a team-leading 13.4 points per game and a team-high .445 shooting percentage. Senior guard Dor Saar puts up a second-best 12.4 points per game while leading the Blue Raiders with 73 total assists and 59 made 3-pointers. Junior forward Courtney Whitson also scores in double-figures (12.3 ppg) and grabs a team-high 7.5 rebounds per contest.

RICE PREVIEW
The Owls own a 7-11 record (2-8 C-USA) and are looking to get back into the win column after dropping two straight contests against North Texas, back on Feb. 10 (50-57) and Feb. 13 (42-55). Rice will play C-USA foe UAB on Thursday before seeing FIU this Saturday.

The Panthers last saw the Owls in the Quarterfinals of the 2021 C-USA Championships, with Rice defeating FIU by a score of 60-77. The Blue & Gold is 3-7 in the last 10 meetings against Rice and is looking for its first win since a 68-58 victory in Miami on Jan. 13, 2018.

SCOUTING THE OWLS
Rice is led offensively by sophomore forward Ashlee Austin, who averages 15.4 points per game. Freshmen forward Malia Fisher leads the squad with 7.9 rebounds per game while averaging 10.4 points per game. Sophomore guard Destiny Jackson leads Rice with 76 total assists this season.

CHARLOTTE PREVIEW
Charlotte is leading the C-USA East Division and has posted a 13-8 overall record and a 9-2 mark in the league. The 49ers were riding a four-game winning streak before losing to MT this past Sunday. Before seeing the Panthers, Charlotte will play WKU on Feb. 17, and Marshall on Feb. 19. The Panthers trail the 49ers 1-9 in the all-time series.

SCOUTING THE 49ERS
Octavia Jett-Wilson is C-USA's third-leading scorer, averaging 18.1 ppg. Jada McMillian paces the entire conference with 4.48 assists per game. Keke McKinney leads C-USA with  2.05 blocks per game and ranks third in the league in rebounds per game (8.24). 

As a team, Charlotte ranks 12th in the league in scoring offense (61.71 ppg) but fifth overall in scoring defense (60.43 ppg). The 49ers rank third in the league in field-goal percentage defense (.368) and second in 3-point percentage defense (.246), while also ranking second-best in C-USA with 4.05 blocks per game. The 49ers play a cohesive brand of offense, ranking fourth in the league in assists-per-game (12.67). 

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to their home floor next Thursday, Feb. 24, for a second consecutive showdown against Charlotte. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

TICKETS
For tickets to all upcoming women's basketball home games, click here.

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.