Miami, Fla. – Junior forward Maria Torres made the go-ahead basket with 24 seconds left in the game to give the Panthers a 49-48 lead as the FIU Women's Basketball team would hold on and earn a 51-48 victory over the University of Texas at San Antonio (4-14, 2-7 C-USA) Saturday afternoon at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
Torres finished the game third on the team with 10 points and led the Panthers on the boards with nine rebounds. Senior guard Kaliah Henderson recorded a team leading 15 points off the bench on 6-11shooting from the field (54.5%).
 
Sophomore guard Tanajah Hayes picked up from her 21-point performance in FIU's previous contest and followed that up with 12 points and led the team in assists (4) and steals (5). Hayes also chipped in five rebounds and was 2-6 from behind the arc.
 
The Panthers struggled on the day shooting from the field (30%) but made up for that with their hustle on the defensive end. FIU forced 25 turnovers that led to 17 points and held the Roadrunners to 29% shooting allowing only one three-point basket. The Panthers were also active in the passing lanes recording nine steals.
 
The most points the Panthers gave up in a quarter in today's game was 15 but neither team was able to gain a big enough lead. There were 17 different lead changes and 9 ties and the largest lead either team had was five points when the Roadrunners led 37-32 with 1:50 left in the third quarter.

The Panthers kept the game close and entered the fourth quarter trailing by one. FIU would go on to outscore UTSA in the final quarter 15-11 thanks to Henderson scoring seven of her 15 points in that frame.
 
Senior guard Olivia Trice sealed the win with four seconds left after making two clutch free throws and was 5-6 from the charity stripe today.

The win over the Roadrunners gives FIU back-to-back wins at home and improves their overall record to 10-8 and 5-4 in Conference USA action.

 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
 
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.