Miami, Fla. – Sophomore guard Tanajah Hayes recorded a new career high nine assists to go along with a team leading 21 points to pace the FIU Women's Basketball team to a 72-70 victory over the UTEP Miners (12-5, 5-3 C-USA) Thursday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
Hayes led the way for the Panthers in points, assists, and steals (4). She shot 7-10 from the field (70 percent) and was efficient from behind the arc shooting 66.7% (2-3). The Panthers shot 27-of-48 (56 percent) from the floor while the Miners went 29-of-66 (44 percent) overall.

The Panthers had an exceptional night from three-point range shooting 45% and knocked down 9 of 20 as a team. Redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse did most of her damage from long distance. She was second on the Panthers with 14 points, making four three pointers on 57.1% shooting from downtown.
 
The win over the Miners improves FIU's overall record to 9-8 and 4-4 in Conference USA action while improving their home record to 7-5.
 
FIU's bench tied UTEP's second unit with 22 points and the bulk of that scoring came from senior guard Kaliah Henderson. Henderson had an all-around game recording 14 points (50%) and was second on the Panthers in rebounds (6) and assists (4).
 
The Panthers outrebounded the Miners 34-30 including a 24-12 edge in defensive rebounds. The 10 offensive rebounds led to 10 second chance points for FIU. Senior center Hope Butera led all players with eight rebounds and chipped in seven points on a perfect 3-3 from the field.

In the first quarter, FIU's offense was nearly perfect. They scored 23 points on 8 of 9 shooting, 5 of 5 from three-point range, and had a 10-0 run in the opening quarter. Joyeuse led that offensive charge with nine points on 3-3 shooting from behind the arc.
 
FIU's defense held the Miners to 36.8% shooting from the field in the first half while only giving up one three pointer and at one point their biggest lead was 17 in the second quarter. The Panthers limited UTEP to just 29 points in the first half and took a 10-point lead into halftime.
 
Both team's offenses picked up in the third quarter as the Miners outscored FIU 19-18. Henderson and Hayes kept FIU's offense afloat in the second half combining for 21 points as the Miners chipped at the Panthers' lead.  
 
UTEP entered the fourth quarter trailing by nine points and on two separate moments, cut the deficit to just one. The Miners had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth with 22 points including all seven of their made free throws in the final frame.
 
FIU weathered the Miners' late 12-2 run with clutch free throw shooting and issued UTEP their third loss on the road this season.
 
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
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