MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU women's basketball team chipped away at a 15-point lead and was within possession to the tie game, 72-69, with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter but their comeback fell short as Western Kentucky University came out of the Ocean Bank Convocation Center with the win, 75-71.  
 
The Lady Toppers (7-8, 4-2 C-USA) extend their winning streak to three games, as FIU moves to 8-7 overall and 3-3 in Conference USA.
 
Senior guard Kaliah Henderson was one point shy of her career high finishing with 24 points and led the Panthers on the boards with nine rebounds. Henderson was also perfect from the free throw line going 9-9 and had a team high four assists.
 
Sophomore guard Zaida Gonzalez earned her fifth start of the season and was second on the Panthers with 11 points on 5-10 shooting. Gonzalez also chipped in two rebounds and was tied for the team lead with two steals.
 
Senior guard Olivia Trice recorded a season high in rebounds with eight. Trice shot 5-7 from the charity stripe and finished with nine points. Sophomore point guard Tanajah Hayes added seven points and three assists.

FIU held the Lady Toppers to 32 percent from the field, though, burying 30-36 from free throw line (83%) and forcing 29 turnovers by the Panthers. WKU finished with 14 steals and scored 22 points of FIU's turnovers.
 
WKU's Alexis Mead led four Lady Toppers in double figures with 19 points and three assists. The Lady Toppers led for most of the game (35:16) and their biggest lead was 15 points at the 3:16 mark of the second quarter.
 
WKU took an 11-point halftime lead, 47-36, but FIU would keep the game close thanks to their constant attack at the rim that led to free throw opportunities. The Panthers shot 88 percent from the charity stripe (21-24) and outscored the Lady Toppers in the paint, 44-28.
 
WKU entered the fourth quarter leading 59-50 after FIU's defense held them to only 12 points in the third. Kaliah Henderson scored nine of her 24 points in the fourth quarter to bring FIU within striking distance.
 
The closest the Panthers would get would be three points after redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse made a layup plus the free throw to trail 72-69 with 53 seconds left in the game. The Lady Toppers sealed the win with Alexis Mead going 3-3 from the free throw line in the final seconds.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will step out of the OBCC for a quick one game road trip against the University of North Texas on Monday, Jan. 16. Tip-off is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. ET and 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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