MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU women's basketball team will close out a two game home stand this weekend as they host the University of Texas at San Antonio this Saturday at 1 p.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
Saturday, Jan.21 vs UTSA (4-13, 2-6 C-USA)
The Panthers (9-8, 4-4 C-USA) snapped a three-game losing streak after defeating UTEP in their previous contest,72-70. With the recent win, the Panthers improved their record at home to 7-5 and brought their conference record back to .500.
FIU's offense is fourth in C-USA averaging 73.53 points per game and one of the top teams in the conference from three-point range. The Panthers have made 114 three pointers averaging 6.71 per game, both marks are good for fourth in C-USA.
In FIU's last game against UTEP, they had a successful night from behind the arc. The Panthers shot an impressive 45 percent from long distance making 9-20.
Redshirt freshman
Sifa Joyeuse finished that game with 14 points and made four three pointers (4-7). She has moved up to fourth in the conference with 39 threes this season and is second on the team averaging 12.2 points per game, the 15
th best scoring mark in the conference.
The Panthers' leading scorer is senior guard
Kaliah Henderson averaging 13.4 points per game (10
th in C-UA). Henderson came off the bench in FIU's previous contest and scored 14 points and was second on the team in rebounds (6) and assists (4). She is also playing well on the defensive end averaging 2.0 steals per game (5
th in C-USA).
The Panthers enter tomorrow's game against UTSA as the top rebounding team in the conference. As a team, they are averaging 42.31 rebounds per game, and they are also first in C-USA averaging 16.47 offensive boards each contest (280 total).
Senior center
Hope Butera is coming off seven points, eight rebounds performance and is FIU's leading rebounder averaging 6.1 per game, (8
th in C-USA). Butera continues to find success on the offensive glass and is second in the conference averaging 2.88 offensive rebounds per game and second with 49 total.
On the defensive end, FIU has excelled this season on initiating turnovers. The Panthers are second in the conference with 181 steals this season averaging 10.65 per game and second in causing 20.18 turnovers per game for opposing teams.
Sophomore guard
Tanajah Hayes is coming off her best performance of the season against UTEP leading FIU with 21 points and recorded a career high nine assists. She also chipped in four steals and continues to lead the conference in that category averaging 2.69 steals per game, and she also leads FIU averaging 3.94 assists per game (4
th in C-USA).
SCOUTING UTSA
The Roadrunners enter Saturday's matchup last in the C-USA standings with a 4-13 record on the season, including a 2-6 mark in Conference USA. UTSA has dropped their last two games and have lost five out of their last six. In their previous conference game, the Roadrunners lost against FAU, 81-66.
UTSA is ninth in the conference in scoring averaging 65.0 points per game on 40.0% shooting. The Roadrunners are also a good rebounding team averaging 40.1 boards per game, the third best mark in C-USA, and third in the conference averaging 13.59 offensive rebounds each contest.
UTSA has the leading scorer in the conference, junior forward Jordyn Jenkins, averaging 20.24 points per game and leads the Roadrunners with 7.2 boards per game (4
th in C-USA). Redshirt sophomore Elyssa Coleman is second on UTSA in scoring with 8.9 points and second on the team averaging 6.3 rebounds each game (5
th in C-USA).
UP NEXT
The Panthers will step away from the OBCC for a two-game road trip next week. Their first stop is in Bowling Green to take on Western Kentucky University on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Panthers' next stop will be in Murfreesboro to play Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2:00 p.m.
TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit
HERE
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