MIAMI (Feb. 23, 2021) - FIU women's hoops returns to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center this week when the team opens a two-game home stand against Charlotte on Thursday, Feb. 24, before hosting Old Dominion on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday against the 49ers and Noon against the Monarchs on Saturday.

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Watch: Charlotte | ODU
Live Stats: Charlotte | ODU 

CHARLOTTE PREVIEW
The 49ers have recorded a 16-8 record (12-2 C-USA) this season are in first place in the C-USA East Division standings. Charlotte is currently riding a three-game win streak and has also won seven of its last eight contests.

FIU fell short against Charlotte this past Monday on the road by a score of 41-53. The Panthers trail the 49ers 1-10 in the all-time series.

SCOUTING THE 49ers
Octavia Jett-Wilson is C-USA's third-leading scorer, averaging 18.46 ppg. Jada McMillian ranks second in the conference with 4.63 assists per game. Keke McKinney leads C-USA with 2.29 blocks per game and ranks third in the league in rebounds per game (8.42). 

As a team, Charlotte ranks 12th in the league in scoring offense (62.63 ppg) but third overall in scoring defense (58.33 ppg). The 49ers rank first in the league in field-goal percentage defense (.352) and 3-point percentage defense (.232), while also ranking first in C-USA with 4.5 blocks per game.

The 49ers play a cohesive brand of offense, ranking fourth in the league in assists-per-game (12.71). 

ODU PREVIEW
The Monarchs own a 20-6 record (10-4 C-USA) and are currently in third place in the C-USA East Division standings, only two games back from first overall. ODU is coming off a strong win over WKU (75-55) this past Saturday, Feb. 19. The Monarchs will face C-USA foe FAU on Thursday in Boca Raton, Florida before seeing FIU this Saturday.

FIU and ODU have met 14 times on the hardwood, with ODU leading the all-time series 9-5. The Panthers have won two of the last three matchups against the Monarchs. ODU defeated FIU in their recent meeting by a score of 61-73 on Feb. 7.
 
SCOUTING THE MONARCHS
ODU boasts one of the best defenses in C-USA this season, ranking first overall in scoring defense (54.19) and forced turnovers (20.92). The Monarchs also rank second in blocked shots per game (4.42) and field-goal percentage defense (.365).

The Monarchs also ranks second overall in C-USA in scoring margin (+9.58).

Individually, Iggy Allen (14.5 ppg) and Ajah Wayne (13.31 pgg) lead ODU in scoring. Allen leads the Monarchs with 7.85 rebounds per game and Mariah Adams paces the squad with 4.21 assists per game.

UP NEXT
The Panthers wrap up the regular season next week with a home-and-home against C-USA rival FAU. FIU faces off against the Owls in Boca Raton, Florida on Wednesday, Mar. 2, at 6 p.m. ET. The Blue & Gold will host FAU for the season finale at home on Saturday, Mar. 5, at Noon.

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.