MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU women's basketball team will open a two game homestand this week as they welcome two C-USA opponents starting with the University of Texas at El Paso on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for FIU Vice Night.
 
Thursday, Jan.19 vs UTEP (12-5, 5-2 C-USA)

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center
• TV: ESPN+
• Live Stats
• Radio: FIU3932 Sports (Jonathan Mayer)
• Tickets
• Series History: UTEP leads 11-2
• Giveaway: First 75 students- FIU VICE T-Shirt

The Panthers (8-8, 3-4 C-USA) will enter their contest against the Miners looking to snap a three-game losing streak after dropping their last contest against North Texas, 71-45. With the recent loss, the Panthers have dropped to seventh place in the conference and but have played well at home with a winning record of 6-5.
 
FIU's offense is fourth in C-USA averaging 73.63 points per game and finding success from behind the arc making 105 three pointers as a team which is fourth most in the league. The Panthers have two players averaging double digit points led by senior guard Kaliah Henderson averaging 13.3 points per game which is the eighth best scoring mark in the conference. Henderson is also playing well on the defensive end averaging 2.13 steals per game (3^rd in C-USA).
 
Redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse is second on the Panthers averaging 12.13 (15^th in C-USA) and is also fourth in the conference with 35 three pointers made. In FIU's previous game, Joyeuse paced the Panthers from behind the arc shooting 3-8.
 
Despite the recent losses, the Panthers continue to crash the glass at a high rate. As a team, they lead the conference averaging 42.31 rebounds per game, and they are also first in C-USA averaging 16.88 offensive boards each contest (270 total).

Senior center Hope Butera has been one of the top rebounders in the conference and has cracked the top 10 in that category. She moved from 11^th to eighth place in the conference averaging 5.94 boards per game. Butera has led the charge in FIU's success on the offensive glass and is second in the conference averaging 3.21offensive rebounds per game and first with 49 total.

On the defensive end, FIU has excelled this season on initiating turnovers. The Panthers are second in the conference with 163 steals this season averaging 11.06 per game and second in causing 20.56 turnovers per game for opposing teams.
 
Sophomore guard Tanajah Hayes continues to lead the conference averaging 2.60 steals per game, and she also leads FIU averaging 3.6 assists per game (8^th in C-USA).
  
SCOUTING UTEP
The Miners enter Thursday's matchup second in the C-USA standings with an impressive 12-5 record on the season, including a 5-2 mark in Conference USA. UTEP has won three out of their last four games including a win in their previous contest against conference foe Charlotte, 68-60.
 
UTEP is seventh in the conference in scoring averaging 66.81 points per game on 40.0% shooting. The Miners have a slight lead over Panthers in three-point percentage shooting 30.9% from beyond the arc compared to FIU's 29.7%.  
 
The Miners do well at protecting the ball on offense and only average 13.88 turnovers per game (2^nd in C-USA) and initiate 18.56 for opposing teams. UTEP, just like the Panthers, have a lot of success corralling offensive rebounds. They are second in the conference with 219 offensive boards averaging 13.69 per game.

UTEP has three players averaging double digit points led by junior guard Mahri Petree with 14.5, while junior N'Yah Boyd averages 12.7 and leads the Miners in assists per game with 2.7. Junior guard Jazion Jackson rounds out the trio recording 10.4 points per game and is second on the team in rebounds (5.9) and assists (2.3) and leads the Miners in steals (2.1).

UP NEXT
The Panthers will wrap up their homestand at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center this Saturday afternoon when they host the University of Texas at San Antonio. Tip-off is scheduled at 1:00 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
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@fiuwbb), Twitter (@FIUWBB), and Facebook (@FIUWBasketball) for all the latest Women's Basketball news. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.